Dear Neighbor,

Thank you:

More than 30 of your friends and neighbors recently helped me conduct a major outreach effort in your neighborhood to decide the future of the former Fire Station 84 property at the corner of Canoga Avenue and Costanso Street. Together we were able to canvas more than 500 homes in the area and we also talked with many residents at a nearby market.  Many others chimed in with feedback through my mailed and online survey.

We received marvelous feedback about the property, options for its future, and specific concerns about its use.  I want to thank everyone who volunteered to help with outreach and everyone who took the time to give their feedback and ideas.

What we learned:

The support for converting this property to a park is overwhelming.  Of the surveys we received, 73% of respondents want to create a local park for neighborhood use. A park will offer quality of life benefits to the surrounding area and will help make the neighborhood an even better place to live.

However, the purpose of the survey and outreach was not merely to tabulate a vote. I wanted to better understand the perspectives of everyone who will be impacted and to incorporate neighborhood feedback and concerns. Among both people who supported a park and those who did not, specific issues about public safety, traffic and potential nuisances were raised. These are important issues and must be considered and addressed as we move forward.   I am committed to ensuring that the ultimate use of this land reflects the best interest and desire of our community. 

A small group of people expressed an interest in an adaptive reuse of the buildings on the property.  After researching this option I have learned that because the buildings on the site are in such bad shape and because the tanks underneath the old station would require special remediation, such an option would be prohibitively expensive. It would most likely require a complete tear down and rebuilding and could take many years to achieve. In the meantime we would be left with an eyesore.

Next steps:

Because of the community feedback and an opportunity to acquire special grant funding, I am going to pursue converting the old fire station into a small community park or what many call a "parklet."  This will require many decisions about design, security, and amenities and I would like to invite you to participate in all phases of the process.

The next step is to partner with you in a design charrette.  The charrette process allows a group to work collaboratively to mold and shape the plans for the future park.  It is also an opportunity to address issues and concerns that have been raised. I will bring landscape architects from the Department of Recreation and Parks to the charrette to guide us through the process.  The design charrette will take place on Sunday, November 17 from 1-2:30 pm on site at the former Fire Station 84 at the corner of Canoga Avenue and Costanso Street. Please join me in this next important step in the process by RSVPing today.

What you can do:

Please attend the design charrette if you are able.  If you are not able to attend, please feel free to contact my office via phone, email, or here on my website to share your ideas and concerns.  By remaining involved in this process, you can help us ensure that the park serves the community and becomes a wonderful amenity to the neighborhood.

Serving you and providing the highest level of constituent service is my top priority as your City Councilmember.  If I can be of help to you with any issue, please contact me and my staff at our district office at (818) 774-4330.

Sincerely,

BOB BLUMENFIELD

Councilmember, City of Los Angeles