Locals Declare Victory as Controversial Project Put on Hold

The fight over Bundy Village, the Westside’s most controversial development project in years, appears to be over for the time being, with local activists claiming victory over the site’s developer Michael Lombardi.

Today, Lombardi sent a letter to the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee informing them of his plan to withdraw his proposal completely and resubmit it at a later time “after significant vetting of the community”, according to this press release from the office of Councilman Bill Rosendahl.

The project, which would have added nearly one million square feet of residential, retail, office, and medical space to the northwest corner of Bundy Drive and Olympic Blvd, was decried by every neighborhood group in the surrounding area, ultimately forcing Councilman Rosendahl to withdraw his initial support for the project .

Most of the neighborhood opposition to the 11.5 acre project revolved around the developer’s own estimates that Bundy Village would have added an additional 20,000 car trips into an already saturated Westside.

The developer’s early backing from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Rosendahl centered around the two ideas that the project would create much needed jobs in a sagging economy, and it would be built along the Expo Line rail corridor, creating the Westside’s first transit community.

Ultimately, community outcry forced the politicians to change their tune – although they still support some form of development at the site, albeit on a significantly reduced scale.

Incidentally, another massive project is in its early stages just across the city limits from Bundy Village.  However, in Santa Monica, local politicians are working closely with developers in creating Bergamot Village – another mixed-use, transit-oriented urban concept to be constructed along the Expo Line route.

This development, along the northern side of Olympic Blvd between Stewart and 26th St, aims to create a unique community with attention to the arts. Only fitting since the Bergamot Station Arts Center is directly across the street. Officials hope to break ground next year and have the village ready in time for the arrival of the rail line.

These are important projects for those of us who live and work on the Westside, and they will most certainly impact our way of life. I’m especially excited for the impending arrival of the Expo Line and look forward to transit communities that make sense and enhance the surrounding area.

What do you think of these projects? Will they enhance the area or create more gridlock? Check back regularly as I update these and other stories that affect us here on the Westside.

Photo courtesy of Bundy Village