Larchmont sidewalks might finally get fixed! CD4 has approved an application for $15,000 from the Larchmont Business Improvement District (BID) to fund a plan to repair sidewalks and replace the street trees on Larchmont Blvd. According to the application, the funds will be used to hire a landscape architect to develop a plan that “will be used to get the pricing of the sidewalk repairs and tree replacements.” The cost of the actual repairs will be borne by the property owners according to the application for funding.
The council office also agreed to provide $302,850 for removal and replacement of concrete along 4th Street between Las Palmas and McCadden and the intersection of Las Palmas and Oakwood in Hancock Park. Repairing the concrete streets in Hancock Park was a significant issue in the CD4 election last spring.
The funding decisions were reviewed at the meeting of the CD4 Discretionary Funds Task Force Tuesday evening. This was the third meeting of the advisory group formed by Council member David Ryu to advise his office and help identify, review and prioritize and expenditures.
Other funding proposals that were approved by the council office and presented to the task force included the following:
- $200,000 to be spent on the acquisition of vacant land known as “O Mount Lee” near Griffith Park.
- $50,000 to the Los Angeles LGBT Center from the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area Special Fund for the assistance with construction and development of affordable housing located at 1118-1139 N. McCadden Place and 6719-6733 Santa Monica Blvd.
- $39,200 for additional traffic enforcement in the Beachwood Canyon area during Spring Break from March 19- April 3, 2016
- $15,000 for an up-to-date study on pedestrian and vehicle usage in the Hollywood Hills neighborhoods near the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory.
- $10,00o to assist the Sunset Square Neighborhood complete their Historic Preservation Overlay Zone study.
- $5,200 for the installation of a wildlife protection fence south of Lake Hollywood in response to community concerns.
- $1,500 for tables and chairs at the 2016 Toluca Lake Earth Day Celebration
- $670 for tents and tables for the Memorial Branch Library “Read-In” and Festival celebrating Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”
- $555 for math teaching supplies at Toluca Lake EEC
- $500 for 2016 Valley Youth Conference Track and Field Season
In addition, the task force heard a preliminary request from the Los Feliz Improvement Association, a homeowners association, seeking funds to replace some 30 trees along Franklin Blvd that were originally installed by the city in the 1970s when the street was widened. The group is seeking $75,000.
Representatives of the Ford Theatre presented a request to the task force for $250,000 for funds to create a hiking trail on the 32 acre county site. Funds from the state and county have already been committed to project. A master plan completed in 2014 called for the hiking trail, additional parking, a restaurant. The new trail could provide an ideal alternative for visitors to view the Hollywood sign and hikers looking for spectacular city views. The location is more accessible since it’s not in a residential neighborhood and there is parking and restrooms are being planned.
The next meeting of the task force is June 7.
