Residents in Hancock Park got some welcome news from the city this week that funds will be made available to repair their streets in concrete as required by the neighborhoods Historic Preservation Overlay Zone.
“The HPHA ’48 is VERY happy to announce that our most damaged intersections will finally be repaired by the City – in concrete,” wrote Cindy Chvatal-KeanePresident, HPHA’48 in an email to resident this week. “After seven years of constant effort, we finally have been able ( with assistance from the Department of Public Works, Council Office and City Administrative Officer) to have budgeted street repair funds reallocated from asphalt to concrete repair for our Hancock Park streets.”
Chvatal-Keene sent a letter to Councilman Tom LaBonge in January of this year igniting controversy about use of the council office’s discretionary funds. The letter was widely circulated and became part of the discussion at the CD 4 candidates forum during the primary.
According to Chvatal-Keene, the Hancock Park HPOZ Preservation Plan, adopted in 2007, requires the protection of the historic streetscape, including parkway trees, concrete streets and sidewalks and curb cuts in keeping with the original design of the historic neighborhood.
“Aside from its historic and aesthetic value, concrete is more durable – a properly installed concrete street will last 75 years or more – and better for the local environment – it is a cooler paving material as compared to asphalt. This is an exciting step forward for our neighborhood,” wrote Chvatal-Keene.
