September 26, 2023 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Los Angeles City Council Considers Proposal as Part of LA River Restoration

A Los Angeles City Council committee will consider today a proposal to pay $59.3 million for a piece of Union Pacific Railroad property in Glassell Park that has long been considered key to the city’s Los Angeles River restoration goals.

The city has plans to turn the Taylor Yard G2 plot — currently 42 acres of industrial rail yard land — into recreational and passive park space, restoring a wildlife habitat to a river that has more of a reputation of being a storm channel.

The cost of the full project, including the purchase price, is expected to come to about $252 million, of which $120 million would be for remediation.

The Arts, Parks and River Committee is scheduled to consider the proposed purchase agreement for the Taylor Yard G2 parcel at a special meeting this afternoon.

The purchase of the parcel, at 2850 Kerr St., was negotiated in anticipation of the $1.5 billion U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to revitalize an 11-mile stretch of the river running through the Elysian Valley.

The Army Corps plan focuses on widening the river next to the yard but does not actually detail improvements on the Taylor Yard G2 plot, which is a complementary project.

The city would need to pay nearly $1.2 billion of the Army Corps plan’s river restoration cost, as well as $2.5 million annually for ongoing maintenance and operations, according to estimates released by City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana. City leaders had initially hoped the costs would be split between the city and federal government.

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who chairs the Arts, Parks and River Committee, said that if council members agree to open escrow on the purchase of the Taylor Yard G2 land, they would still have time to look more closely into the deal, and if necessary, back out before the end of the escrow period.

O’Farrell said that while the rail yard parcel is tied to the Army Corps project — which has increased in cost since it was first proposed — the plot of land has also long been the “lynchpin” of the city’s own Los Angeles River restoration plans.

“What I want to do is make sure we don’t get distracted by what is sort of an abstract exercise” of contemplating the city’s estimated $1.2 billion share of costs in the Army Corps plans, he said.

O’Farrell said he plans to consider the immediate $252 million costs of improving on Taylor Yard itself.

The purchase of the yard would be “an enormous investment in a space that has a high value for the future of the Los Angeles River,” he said.

Under the tentative deal, the purchase amount would include setting aside $14.7 million for part of the soil remediation costs.

The city is also counting on the state providing $25 million of the purchase cost, which would need to be funneled through a potential agreement with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, according to the CAO.

The state’s portion would likely not be available to the city when it comes time to purchase the land, according to the CAO.

The CAO’s report also gives City Council members the option of forgoing purchase of the property at this time.

 

136737008

Related Posts

Mixed-Use West Edge Development Unveiled North of Expo/Bundy Station In Sawtelle

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Development is a collaboration between Hines, Affinius Capital, and Philena Properties  By Dolores Quintana The once-familiar site of the Martin...

Writers Guild and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement After 146-Day Strike

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Picketing Is Suspended For Now, Contract Language To Be Finalized By Dolores Quintana Around 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Writers Guild...

Rising Mortgage Rates and Low Inventory Continue to Impact California Home Sales

September 24, 2023

September 24, 2023

California’s Median Home Price Records Its Highest Year-Over-Year Gain in 15 Months By Dolores Quintana California home sales faced their...

Join Heal the Bay for the Official Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Make a Difference in Your Community by Removing Trash From Our Coast By Dolores Quintana On Saturday, September 23, 2023,...

Fatal Collision Involving Auto and Motorcycle On September 20 in Palms

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Tragic Incident Prompts Swift Response by Los Angeles Firefighters By Dolores Quintana A tragic auto versus motorcycle collision unfolded at...

COVIDTests.gov to Reopen for Free Testing Starting on September 25

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

HHS Invests $600 Million in Domestic COVID-19 Test Manufacturing By Dolores Quintana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...

(Video) Citizen Public Market’s New Expanded Rooftop Bar Area

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

The rooftop bar’s size has been doubled and offers a relaxing and al fresco area for patrons to enjoy cocktails,...

Shake Shack Introduces Pilot Program with Eco-Friendly Oil

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Zero Acre Farms to partner with Shake Shack in NYC  By Keemia Zhang Shake Shack has announced a partnership with...

Pringles and Caviar Company Introduce New Tiktok-Inspired Collaboration

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

TikTok Trend Spurs Special Partnership Between Brands By Keemia Zhang ​Pringles and The Caviar Co. have collaborated to produce the...

Exclusive: One of the West Coast’s Most Celebrated Ice Cream Shops To Open in Brentwood

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Interview With Co-Founder Kim Malek Talks About Their Hopes For Their New Shop By Dolores Quintana It’s been six long...

Breakfast Burritos, Coffee, and Texas Style Tacos Have Arrived In Culver City

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Two Popular Spots Famous For Their Breakfast Burritos Are Now Open By Dolores Quintana The news went out today among...

Culver City Council Highlights: Leadership Sponsorship, Tax Penalties, and Community Honors

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

Monday’s City Council Meeting Addresses Key Issues and Commemorates Former Mayor By Dolores Quintana The Culver City City Council convened...

Union Solidarity Coalition Creates Charity Auction to Support Industry Workers Amidst 2023 WGA Strike

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

Showbiz Memorabilia, Personal Meetings, Celebrity Dogwalking Among Auction Items By Dolores Quintana The Writers Guild strike against The Alliance of...

Los Angeles Launches ERAP to Prevent Homelessness Amidst Rent Crisis

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

United to House Los Angeles Program Offers Vital Rental Assistance By Dolores Quintana The United to House Los Angeles (ULA)...

Phoenix House 5K Walk Fights Opioid Crisis, Raises Overdose Awareness

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Inaugural Walk Seeks To Unite Community and Show Support To Families By Dolores Quintana Phoenix Houses of California, a prominent...