The Westfield Group is planning a big expansion at Westfield Fashion Square, and residents worry that it will further clog already congested streets, the L.A. Daily News reports.
By building south toward the 101 Freeway, Westfield would add 280,000 square feet and 80 stores to the 120 stores already there. The $200 million proposal, which would increase the mall’s size by one-third, is prompting residents’ concerns about traffic jams on Riverside Drive, Hazeltine Avenue and Woodman Avenue.
“That project has insufficient mitigations for the project of that size,” said Ellen Vukovich, a member of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association board.
The company disagrees. Westfield officials have factored in community concerns about the traffic flow and plan new left-turn lanes, traffic lights and signs, said spokeswoman Katy Dickey.
“It’s being worked on with staff and officials,” she said.
The expansion is part of Westfield’s business model to reinvest in its property, Dickey said. Currently, the mall is anchored by a Macy’s and a Bloomingdale’s. The company has not announced any new retailers.
