Venice Dell update, What to do with the Hall of Administration, and more

New ExpressLanes are one step closer to reality in the Inland Empire.

Skanska announced this week that it has been awarded a contract by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to build the $390-million I-15 Corridor Freight Improvement and Express Lanes Project, which will include 10.8 miles of price-managed toll facilities. Work is expected to begin in January 2025 and conclude by July 2028.

CIM Group announced this week that it has acquired District La Brea, a series of two- and three-story retail buildings on La Brea Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets.

The property, acquired through the CIM Real Assets & Credit Fund, consists of more than 82,000 square feet of commercial space and parking for 171 vehicles. Current tenants include Arc’Teryx, Stone Island, Undefeated, Market, Garrett Leight, Schott NYC, Sycamore Kitchen, Burrow, Interior Define, Aether Apparel and Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa

The battle over a controversial affordable housing development near Venice Beach continues.

This week, the California Coastal Commission voted to approve the Venice Dell project, which would consist of 120 apartments, commercial space, and new parking to replace existing city-owned lots.

That vote came against the opposition of city officials, including City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto and 11th District Councilmember Traci Park, who have sought to block the project from moving forward. The situation was complicated further this week when the Board of Transportation Commissioners voted to reject the use of the parking lot as affordable housing.

Where does Venice Dell go from here? Unclear!

On Monday, Los Angeles officials reopened Elysian Valley Gateway Park, adding new bioswales, shade trees, a viewing platform, and improved access to the L.A. River bike path.

Check out the $2-million renovation in person at 2914 Knox Avenue.

Here's what we're reading this week:

Los Angeles has the nation’s No. 1 economy by county "The LA economy – filled with everything from a massive service industry to manufacturing, shipping, and Hollywood – created $962 billion worth of goods and services in 2023." (Daily News)

La Verne Pedestrian Bridge Will Connect Metro A Line, Metrolink, and Fairplex "Officials from La Verne and the SGVCOG are excited about the bridge’s “elegant” design and connectivity for transit oriented development." (Streetsblog LA)

After Los Angeles County bought a skyscraper, a fight over whether to tear down its historic headquarters "Preliminary county plans call for razing the Hall of Administration but keeping the building where the Board of Supervisors convenes in public sessions. That building is connected to the Hall of Administration but is a separate structure that could stand on its own." (LA Times)

Metro to Strengthen Station Fare Gates "Metro is installing taller stronger fare gates at ten existing station. New stations - starting with LAX - will also the feature them" (Streetsblog LA)

Nearly a quarter of city-funded shelter beds for unhoused people in LA went unused, audit finds "The audit, released Tuesday, outlines other issues with data quality, interim housing/shelter bed occupancy rates, and inadequate program management from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)." (LAist)

Study favors San Vicente-Fairfax K Line alternative "The favored route would have the underground rail follow San Vicente Boulevard north, turn east at Santa Monica Boulevard, north at Highland Avenue and ultimately meet the Red Line at the Hollywood/Highland Station. A potential addition would add one stop at the Hollywood Bowl. LAEDC said that, during its construction, the extension would generate $22.5 billion in total economic output, create – both directly and indirectly – over 123,000 jobs and generate $2.65 billion in tax dollars. The project’s completion, though, would not be until the 2040s." (Beverly Press)

Pasadena Transit Contemplates Major Route Overhaul "Proposal would extend service hours, eliminate some routes while adding new ones to match post-pandemic travel patterns" (Pasadena Now)

Where are Southeast LA’s bike lanes? "Car-dominated Los Angeles is far from an ideal city to walk or bike in — and the situation is especially bad in Southeast Los Angeles. Now, residents are moving to change that." (LA Public Press)

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