Business owners from West Washington Boulevard, urging development in the area, addressed the Culver City City Council Monday night.
At issue is a boulevard median that the business community feels would enhance the district and avert crime. The Redevelopment Agency, too, proposed that the medians would benefit the immediate neighborhood by “eliminating blight, attracting private investment to the area and enhancing the pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle environment.”
Gentrification efforts have already begun east of Beethoven Street. Shop owners, some of whom have been paying taxes to Culver City for 30 years, complained that the city has spent money to redevelop East Washington Boulevard with the effect of creating a business district with a distinct brand (the Helms Bakery district), but has not given enough attention to the west end of the city.
Councilman Scott Malsin urged his fellow councilmen to consider the cause, arguing for a “Gateway to Culver City” brand. The idea was immediately met with approval by Mayor Christopher Armenta, who voiced his enthusiasm for the “Gateway” idea, and the other members of the council.
Phase II of the West Washington Streetscape Median Project includes three new medians totaling 437 linear feet, and will stretch from Centinela to Boise avenues. The contract was awarded for the low-bid price of $287,999 to KASA Construction, which will also begin construction on the Sepulveda Boulevard Enhancement Project in May.