Valley Vantage Editorial By Joyce Pearson Calls For Public Forum For Discussion of Costco, Village Project

From the August 26, 2010 issue of The Valley Vantage:

Editorial by Joyce Pearson
It’s Time for Councilman Zine to Provide a Forum to Discuss Costco!

It’s time for the community to stand up for what’s right in Woodland Hills, and its time for Councilman Zine to provide a forum to discuss Costco!

LA’s Mayor says it’s a done deal. Westfield says it’s a done deal. Costco hasn’t even relocated yet, but it is already turning what Westfield once promised as an “upscale shop/dine/work destination” into a strip mall with a wholesale arm behind it, that is destined to hurt traffic, surrounding businesses and neighborhoods, not to mention leaving blight behind in Canoga Park, just blocks away.

With the threat of Los Angelinos voting with their feet as more Woodland Hills constituents vacate to Westlake Village or Thousand Oaks to maintain their quality of life, it’s time to reflect on what needs to be done to stem that tide.

What is being asked of Councilman Zine is that he commit to a series of three Town Hall meetings where the community can toss the hardball questions and voice legitimate concerns they have over this plan. Moreover, outreach for these open Town Halls must be paid for out of the Council District’s budget, along with a series of mailings to every address within 2 miles of the Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd. epicenter.

Calling the meetings will enable the Councilman to explain why he appears to be promoting Westside traffic congestion here in the West Valley; and to be scrapping pedestrian walkways, green belts, parking on the roof of Costco and many other key items that Westfield had proposed and promised the public in its original plans for The Village. The Councilman could even address disregarding the new Warner Center Specific Plan before it is even off the drafting table.

Most importantly, Councilman Zine can shed light on the “ proposed increases” in jobs and tax revenue; the traffic congestion that is destined to ensue; and any financial incentives that may have been advanced by relocating the Costco and its employees. In addition, it would be great to have Costco’s President at those meetings with him to tell us how the new Costco will bring value to our community.

What say you Woodland Hills, are you ready to meet your Councilman? If you want to know what is going on in your community and are interested in participating in Woodland Hills:

1. Sign one of the petitions (Just say NO) or (Here’s the way to go) on the Website at: www.CommunityRedevelopmentAdvocate.com;
2. Volunteer to walk your neighborhood to get petitions signed;
3. Volunteer to circulate information about the upcoming Town Hall meetings;
4. Write letters;
5. Ask for speakers to present information at your school or community organization;
6. Learn what you need to do to have your own impact when the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) is presented by Westfield;
7. Find out what the Warner Center Specific Plan is all about;
8. Review what the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council says about the matter by going to their Website at: www.WHCouncil.org, as well as finding out about their upcoming meetings on this important topic.

Look for the upcoming dates of the Town Hall meetings, and attend. You can send a clear message and help the Court of Public opinion weigh in on your community.
Joyce Pearson is Chair of the Greater West Valley Coalition and Chair Emeritus of the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council She can be reached at 713-8600

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Daily News Article About Pavilions Coming To Corbin Village

This is an article from earlier this month that I wanted to share with those of you who didn’t see it.

From the Daily News:

Construction has begun on a 47,000-square-foot Pavilions supermarket in Woodland Hills that will add as many as 100 jobs to the San Fernando Valley economy, officials said Friday.

The upscale market, expected to open next spring, is owned by Safeway Inc. and will be located in Corbin Village, a strip mall on the south side of Ventura Boulevard between Oakdale and Corbin avenues. It will be adjacent to a 99 Cents store, in space that has been occupied over the years by a variety of retail stores.

“The Ventura Boulevard corridor represents an excellent opportunity for us,” company spokesman Carlos Illingworth said in an e-mail. “We don’t have a hiring date set but we’re going to be hiring between 80 to 100 employees at that location.”

Some current tenants are delighted about the project.

“It will be a wonderful upscale neighbor,” said David Cooperman, owner of Shalom House, which sells Jewish merchandise and has been located in Corbin Village for 16 years.

Gwen Christy, the owner of nearby Madonna Novelle, anticipates that Pavilions shoppers will be drawn to her beauty establishment for a massage or facial.

“We can’t wait, we can’t wait,” a smiling Christy said. “It’s long overdue. It’s going to be a huge benefit.”

As part of the project, Corbin Village will get a new parking lot and lighting, along with a new facade on the 99 Cents store.

See the rest of the article at DailyNews.com.

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KB Homes Ascent Event This Saturday From 11am to 7pm

Last week, KB Homes opened their on site sales office for Ascent at Warner Center and moved out of their temporary office which was located across the street.

From a company press release:

KB Home’s Ascent at Warner Center Unveiled

Homebuilder Hosts Special Sneak Peek Event This Weekend; Tours, Giveaways and More at Stylish New Condominium Community

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of America’s premier homebuilders, is unveiling Ascent, a brand new option for condominium home living in the heart of Warner Center in Woodland Hills, this Saturday, August 28. During a special Ascent Event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the community, home shoppers can get their first look at this distinctive collection of residences that combine the convenience of urban living with sophisticated lifestyle amenities. During the special event, they will also be able to enter for a chance to win one of six $500 Westfield shopping center gift certificates. Shoppers can also meet with a mortgage loan officer to learn how to be among the first to own a new home at Ascent.

“We’re excited to show off Ascent this weekend. It is a gorgeous community, in a stellar location, priced right for those looking for an attractive alternative to a traditional single-family home,” said Steve Ruffner, president of KB Home’s Southern California division. “Saturday’s event is designed to educate buyers on why now is the time to buy a new home. Many homebuyers are going through the homebuying process for the first time, and we want them to feel comfortable with making the smart decision to purchase a new home today.”

Within walking distance of dining, shopping and many of the area’s major employers at Warner Center Business Park, and just minutes from Highway 101 and Interstate 405, Ascent is in one of the San Fernando Valley’s most easily accessible locations. The location affords residents access to entertainment studios and other leading Los Angeles area employers via either car or the new Orange Line system, including NBC Universal, Disney, Anthem Blue Cross and Kaiser Permanente.

Ascent provides refined amenities amid sleek urban architecture. Residents enjoy exclusive access to an onsite, state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style pool and spa with Wi-Fi enabled cabanas, a clubhouse with a gourmet kitchen, entertainment lounge with flat-panel TVs, outdoor lounge with fireplaces, tranquil courtyards with lush landscaping, a full-service concierge and a dog park.

The one- and two-story residences include one to three bedrooms and up to two-and-a-half baths. Each residence also comes with two parking spots in the controlled access garage. Pricing for new homes at KB Home’s Ascent starts in the $220,000s.

Residences at Ascent include high-quality finishes and desirable design features such as granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and distinctive cabinet styles and colors. Homebuyers can further personalize their new homes at Ascent by visiting the KB Home Studio, where they will meet with a personal design consultant to select from a wide variety of design choices including flooring, backsplashes, lighting and wall color.

Ascent at Warner Center is located at 21220 Erwin Street in Woodland Hills. For more information, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.discoverascent.com. For the gift certificate drawing, see Official Rules at the special event for complete details. No purchase necessary.

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Additional Daily News Article On Costco

For those that did not see it, from Saturday’s Daily News:

Let’s give Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa the credit – or blame – he deserves for his efforts to bring a Costco to Warner Center.

Villaraigosa has been open about his desire to lure more of the discount warehouses to Los Angeles, holding several meetings with Costco Chairman Jeffrey Brotman and CEO Jim Sinegal.

While nearby residents and businesses are divided in their support for the Woodland Hills project, there is no denying that it will draw shoppers and traffic as the anchor of The Village at Westfield Topanga.

Sean McCarthy, an at-large alternate on the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council, takes a pragmatic view of the project. He notes that a partnership between Costco and Westfield LLC demonstrates their belief in the economic strength of the business center.

“They have a purpose in renting to some tenants, especially a large tenant like a Costco, because they know they will be there for years to come and add value to the community,” he said.

“I personally think that any sort of business that can bring activity to Woodland Hills is a positive thing.”

When it opens in 2012, the Warner Center store will join five others in the San Fernando Valley.

And in formally announcing the Warner Center deal last week, Costco said it was opening stores at Westfield-owned malls in Sarasota, Fla., and Wheaton, Md.

Please check out the Daily News’ site for the rest of the article.

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For The Record, Last Week’s Zine & Villaraigosa Press Release About Costco

I just wanted to have a copy of this on the site for you folks.

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA AND COUNCILMAN DENNIS ZINE ANNOUNCE COSTCO SELECTED AS ANCHOR TENANT OF “THE VILLAGE AT WESTFIELD TOPANGA” DEVELOPMENT IN LOS ANGELES
$50 million investment by Costco will create 300 jobs and add $1 million in annual revenue

The Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business Policy worked to ensure that Costco and the Village were included in the State Enterprise Zone

LOS ANGELES – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Dennis Zine announced today a 146,000 square foot Costco will be the anchor tenant of “The Village at Westfield Topanga” development. The $50 million investment by Costco will create 300 jobs and add $1 million in annual revenue.

“In 2007, I pledged to bring new Costco stores to our great City,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Last March, we opened the first Costco in the City of Los Angeles in fourteen years and now we are opening another location that will not only bring affordable products, but good paying jobs to Los Angeles.”

Costco is the latest business to be part of The Village, located between Westfield’s existing Topanga and Promenade centers. Westfield Topanga recently underwent its own $350 million redevelopment and expansion featuring the addition of Target and Neiman Marcus along with 300,000 square feet of new shops, restaurants and an upscale dining terrace.

“As the Councilman for the district, my obligation is to provide economic vitality, and in that endeavor, I will continue to promote opportunities for job creation and a robust economy for residents in my district,” said Councilman Zine. “I am elated that Costco teamed up with Westfield in the West San Fernando Valley, which uniquely suited for a store, making it more convenient for residents from the area to shop. I have partnered with Westfield on this project since its inception and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that this venture is realized in a manner that meets the community’s needs.”

“We’ve been in business in the City of LA for over 30 years and we’ve never had a Mayor step up to the plate to help like Mayor Villaraigosa has”, said Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco. “He gets it; he understands what we bring to the city and this wouldn’t have happened without him. These are good paying jobs with excellent benefits. This is a $50 million dollar investment and we are very excited about this project. “

The Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business policy (OEBP) collaborated with Councilman Zine’s office to encourage the connection between Costco and Westfield, helping them leverage City resources and work with the State to win approval for the expansion of Los Angeles’ State Enterprise Zones (SEZs). SEZs, along with recent tax reform policies, are one of many economic development tools that Los Angeles has at its disposal to support new and existing businesses and create jobs. As part of the SEZ expansion, OEBP included the Village site and outlined the available tax credits and economic incentives to Costco and Westfield executives. These incentives were a contributing factor to Costco’s decision to locate in the Village development.

Along with hourly wages that pay on average over $21, Costco brings a high level of corporate citizenship with every store. Costco’s construction mission is “to employ the highest quality products at the best price with the lowest possible environmental impact throughout each department” and to “work together to shrink Costco’s ecological footprint.” “We are delighted to be welcoming Costco to Westfield,” said Peter Lowy, Westfield Group Managing Director. “Costco is a fantastic operator, and from a company perspective, this announcement well-illustrates Westfield’s aim to introduce new goods and services into the malls – investing in new elements, new energy, new conveniences and new choices for Westfield shoppers. The integration of Costco into our Village site takes the shopping experience to a whole new level.”

“This investment by Costco and expansion of the Village development in the San Fernando Valley will create 300 good paying jobs and over $1 million of annual revenue for the city,” stated First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. “It is living proof that the expansion of the State Enterprise Zones is creating jobs in Los Angeles.”

The new Costco store is slated to open late 2012.

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King Zine Announces Costco Is In Fact A Done Deal

So, Dennis, it wasn’t a done deal?  Glad to see the community, the Neighborhood Council, etc. was able to have some input here.  Insert sarcasm here, folks.

The Daily News writes:

A $50 million Costco will be the anchor tenant at The Village at Westfield Topanga, a mixed-use project planned for Victory Boulevard and Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Woodland Hills, officials said Tuesday.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Dennis Zine issued a formal announcementabout the 146,000-square-foot warehouse store, which said they will create 300 jobs and generate an estimated $1 million annually in revenue. The store is slated to open in late 2012.

Costco is the first tenant to be announced for The Village, which includes plans for an upscale hotel and office and retail space. The project area extends between Victory Boulevard and Erwin Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Owensmouth Avenue.

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Local Blogger Forces LA Councilmember Zine To End Week Backpedaling

From the Valley Vantage:

It seems that many people’s mastery of the English language has been called into question by Zine.  Apparently, “it’s a done deal,” actually means “don’t worry, it hasn’t been fully decided yet and there will be plenty of time for public comment.”  I am quite pleased that I called out Mr. Zine publicly on his comments to Karen Koe, and he has been forced to engage his constituency.

I find it interesting that in the article Zine remarks that the Costco may not even end up at the The Village site at Owensmouth & Victory.  (As a side note, I wonder if Zine picked up a backwards pedaling bicycle at the new Performance Bicycles store?) However, since that is the only proposal anyone is putting forward, you can pretty much be assured that’s where it will be going.  Zine is clearly working closely with Costco, as he has said repeatedly, and obviously also Westfield, since they have put forth a proposal for it.

So, Mr. Zine, where is the alternate proposal that doesn’t involve The Village?  Unfortunately, for everyone, this proposal is going to be put forward as, “If you want a Costco, if you want these jobs and development in Woodland Hills, it has to be at this site.”  You can already tell where that’s going.  Unless alternatives, and “plan Bs” are developed, this will come to a simple “yes” and “no” decision, which as Zine decrees, “the decision comes out of my office.”  We already know what that decision will be if it comes down to Costco at The Village or no Costco at all.

This article is also quite interesting that it reveals that Costco plans to abandon it’s Canoga Park Costco location that has been a cancer on that community for a number of years.  No matter how much you love Costco, you must admit that is true.  They are not a very good corporate neigbhor for that community.  I don’t personally think that would be the case for a higher end store in Woodland Hills, but no one should ignore the obvious fact that even the parking lot at the Canoga Park location is a sewer, last I looked.

Thanks to Tanya Peel for the heads up on the Valley Vantage article.

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