Flagship South Pas Redevelopment Stalled

Shamrock Holdings, the chief financier for a major mixed-use redevelopment project in downtown South Pasadena, has pulled out, citing economic concerns. Developer Decoma, was relying on the $8.8 million in equity pledged by Shamrock for the $50 million plus project. The 310,000 sf project was to be the flagship property in a major revitalization of the central business district along Fair Oaks Ave. But the unavailability of short-term construction loans in the midst of a development-unfriendly economic climate forced the Burbank holdings company to pull out.

The development was to contain 60 condo units, including 12 affordable units, and underground parking for 380 cars. The Decoma plan was attractive to the community because it was aimed at smaller scale retail. Community members looked forward to public plazas, water features, and street furniture to help improve a neighborhood where blocky bank buildings and 'For Rent' signs have become the norm. It is unclear whether Decoma Developers, whose website includes an extensive description of the project, will stick through despite the financial setback.

The city and the chamber of commerce certainly hope they will. The project was approved by the city council in May 2008. Since then, civic leaders have been courting developers and financial sources, begging for investment in their "blighted" CBD. Scott Feldmann, president of the chamber of commerce, said Shamrock's withdrawal "feels awful," and will try to stay hopeful that they can attract new interest. But not everyone was disappointed with this latest turn of events. Some residents, especially those in the immediate vicinity, necessitated 80 public scoping meetings and even filed an unsuccessful lawsuit in the last few months. Their concerns? You guessed it - traffic and parking.

W. Hollywood Entrusts New Cultural Center to Bolster Rep as "Creative City"

The City of West Hollywood has hired Heery International to build phase 1 of the city's master plan - a 32,000 sf library along with 2.5 acres of parkspace adjacent to the Pacific Design Center. The project, which will break ground in about a month, was planned and designed by Culver City architecture firm MDA Johnson Favaro. The library, which will be about six times larger than the decrepit original, will boast high-tech features like video-conferencing rooms and pervasive wireless connectivity. Two parking structures will house an additional 400 spots, in the city infamously strapped for parking.

The added parkspace will combine with the existing West Hollywood Park, located at the intersection of San Vicente Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd. Directly accross from the Pac Design Center on San Vicente, a cafe will be installed with broad sidewalk eating space. The city's master plan, which is split into three installments, is geared toward providing the city with more parkspace and more program to accomodate the city's growing family population. The center will contribute to the cluster of existing and future cultural buildings around the important intersection. If ever realized, Cesar Pelli's much-hyped "Red Boat" will complete the Design Center's Holy Trinity of colorful iconic colossi. The funding-starved project that was proposed in 2006 was slated for completion last year. Aside from a bunch of glossy PR, little has been said for the Charles Cohen venture. Stay tuned for more.

As for WeHo's new Park(ing), Curbed LA has made a good point - shouldn't we have learned something from Pershing Square's dreadful combination of park and parking? And West Hollywood is known for a lot of things, but I can't help but feel a little skeptical about the power of a library and a showroom-on-steroids to spawn a "City of Creativity."