West Washington Area Improvement Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In 2007, the Culver City Council and the Culver City Redevelopment Agency authorized implementation of an Area Improvement Plan to promote revitalization, encourage reinvestment and eliminate blight. The program is targeted on the West Washington Boulevard corridor between Walnut Avenue and Atlantic Avenue surrounding two catalytic redevelopment sites. In addition to property acquisition, increased code enforcement and land planning, four programs were developed to meet these goals: a landscape median project, a commercial rehabilitation façade grant program, a “green zone” energy retrofit incentive program and a graphic identity/banner program.
A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
The Redevelopment Agency has proposed to fund the capital improvements related to the design and construction of the landscape medians, however per State law, it cannot fund the on-going maintenance. Therefore, formation of commercial property assessment district, comprised of property owners along the Washington Boulevard corridor, is required for each project phase. Drought tolerant, low maintenance planting has been selected to keep maintenance costs to a minimum.
LANDSCAPE MEDIANS
By utilizing a narrow design, the medians will be incorporated easily within the street, minimizing traffic impacts and allowing for a potential bike lane “sharrow” in the future. The proposed medians will beautify the commercial corridor with a planting palette that includes drought tolerant Queen Palm trees, Blue Oat Grass, New Zealand Flax, and Daylilies.
Phase I - Wade Street to Beethoven Street
The first phase, consisting of five medians, was completed in December 2010.
Phase II - Centinela Avenue to Boise Avenue
Construction on Phase II is currently underway and completion is slated for October 2011.
Phase III - Boise Avenue to Wade Street
In May 2011, the Redevelopment Agency approved conceptual plans for this phase to include two (2) new medians and replanting of the existing five medians located near the intersection of Washington Blvd. and Washington Place. If the Assessment District is approved, construction of this phase will begin in early 2012.
In June 2011, the Council approved an expansion to the AIP program to include three new phases: IV, V and VI. Initiation of the Phase IV project, from Beethoven Street moving west to Walnut Avenue (near Lincoln Blvd.) will begin in July 2011.
COMMERCIAL FACADE MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM
The Redevelopment Agency is currently offering a Commercial Facade Matching Grant Program for improvements to private property in the AIP area. The purpose of the Program is to encourage private reinvestment and the general upgrading of building facades within this targeted area. The Program provides grants on a matching basis of up to $10,000 maximum to business and property owners. Work includes new signage, building facades, exterior painting and cleaning, window/door repair or appropriate replacement work, landscaping, awnings, and other approved exterior improvements. For more information about the Program, please contact Economic Development Manager, Kriss Casanova, at (310) 253-5769 or by email.
GRAPHIC IDENTITY/BANNER PROGRAM
The Redevelopment Agency recently approved a graphic identity/banner program that will include street light pole banners, building banners, fence wraps, bus wraps, and other materials to promote the objectives of the West Washington AIP. The design features a colorful butterfly – symbolic of the chrysalis’s dramatic metamorphosis of renewal and regeneration.
“GREEN ZONE” INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The City and the Redevelopment Agency, through the development of a comprehensive Green Building Ordinance, have created “green zones” within the Area Improvement Plan areas. Within these Green Zones, businesses are encouraged through permit fee waivers to retrofit their buildings to be more energy efficient. For more information, please contact Building Official, Craig Johnson, at (310) 253-5802 or email.