Sunset Boulevard Project at Site of Late Tower Records on Hold for a Month as West Hollywood Opponents Ask for Downsizing
Developers of a proposed mixed-use strip mall that would stand at the former site of the famed Tower Records store on Sunset Boulevard hit the pause button over the weekend as opposition to the project, which would feature Times Square-like electronic billboards, grew to a roar.
Project spokesman Brian Lewis told the Weekly the proposal, withdrawn from consideration at tonight's West Hollywood City Council meeting, would be back on the table at the next one, which is April 2.
He said:
We're going to continue to work on some issues. The project has been revised. That's all I can tell you right now.
Opponents of "Centrum Sunset" were concerned about parking, signage and density. They claimed in an email obtained by the Weekly that the developer would be downsizing to a single-use structure that would house a Walgreens.
The curvilinear development at 8801 Sunset Boulevard, designed by Gensler (of L.A.'s downtown stadium proposal), was originally pitched as having a gym, retail and offices.
The email states that that, after pulling its proposal and downsizing to a Walgreens for fear it didn't have enough support on the council, the developer wants to "withdraw their withdrawal and continue the project as they consider their options over the next month or two."
Opponents claimed the project would add 1,200 extra cars to the streets outside everyday.
Lewis told us that the project, by developer Sol Barket, has already been downsized to appease critics:
While we apparently have a disagreement with opponents, there is additional parking that meets code. There's a surplus of spaces, we're eliminating 5,000 square feet of office space, and the signage is not as large as it was.
Interestingly, opponents claim that "almost everyone" likes the way the project looks. They'd just rather have a Walgreens than another mixed-use strip mall.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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