Westwood Development Irresponsible

Ira Smedra’s Village Center Westwood, as planned, is an irresponsible development that has no place in our Village. It is four times larger than the Westside Pavilion and has more movie seats than Century City. Wake up, boys! Smedra’s development is inappropriate, excessive, insensitive, illegal and destined to be tangled up in the courts.

Where were you during the four years when the Westwood Specific Plan was developed? Maybe you don’t comprehend the desires of the greater Westwood community that have always supported sound development. When the plan was written, community leaders, including Laura Lake, Village property owners, then-Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky and Victor Gruen Associates helped to formulate it. Community organizations stand firmly with these leaders, and organizations will play a pivotal role in carrying out the Specific Plan’s vision for Westwood as a village for our families, our student community and our visitors.

Westwood is smelling the roses without Smedra’s monster. Larry Taylor and his partners have just invested $50 million in the Village. Starwood Lodging has purchased the Westwood Marquis Hotel, and Mann Theaters is proceeding with a multi-million-dollar entertainment/retail development that has engendered great enthusiasm in the neighborhood. Arden Realty is in escrow on the Monty’s building, UCLA Extension is opening the Lindbrook Center, Mr. Chow’s is coming to the “dome” building, office leasing is sizzling and the Broxton parking structure and streetscape are nearing completion. The Geffen Playhouse and the Hammer Museum are bustling with patrons.

Revitalization is here. Trains are leaving the station; you and your so-called Westwood 2000 should jump on the right one.

SANDY BROWN and JACKIE FREEDMAN

Westwood