The Latest News - Archives
| What could be...on the former Kmart site: Click to enlarge |
(Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006) Wednesday, Sept. 27th at 6PM please come out to voice your opinion
about the Future of Fletcher Square, site of the former Kmart. WEDNESDAY 9/27 AT 6PM at the
Glassell Park Community/Sr. Center 3750 N. Verdugo Road. This is a special area with a huge potential
for a mixed-use development of quality restaurants, bookstores, an outdoor plaza for dining and socializing,
right across the street from the Los Angeles City College being built in the former Van de Kamps. We must put
forth our vision for what we believe is best for the community, and what the free market economy will support.
Mixed-use offers higher rents per square foot for developers and less automobile traffic than a strictly
commercial big-box outfit. The City Planning department is planning a Community Design Overlay for Fletcher
Square that will be rolled out to all of Cypress Park and Glassell Park with specific guidelines in support of the
Northeast Community Plan. Find out about it! Next Meeting: Oct. 12th.
about the Future of Fletcher Square, site of the former Kmart. WEDNESDAY 9/27 AT 6PM at the
Glassell Park Community/Sr. Center 3750 N. Verdugo Road. This is a special area with a huge potential
for a mixed-use development of quality restaurants, bookstores, an outdoor plaza for dining and socializing,
right across the street from the Los Angeles City College being built in the former Van de Kamps. We must put
forth our vision for what we believe is best for the community, and what the free market economy will support.
Mixed-use offers higher rents per square foot for developers and less automobile traffic than a strictly
commercial big-box outfit. The City Planning department is planning a Community Design Overlay for Fletcher
Square that will be rolled out to all of Cypress Park and Glassell Park with specific guidelines in support of the
Northeast Community Plan. Find out about it! Next Meeting: Oct. 12th.
(Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006) SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE GPIA MEETING THURSDAY, SEPT. 21
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ALBERTSON'S market on Eagle Rock Blvd. in Glassell Park. Matt Heslin, owner
of the property, will talk about the new tenant, Tesco. This U.K. Based grocery chain, will not only be a first for
Glassell Park and Northeast L.A., but also for the entire country. The meeting takes place at the Glassell Park
Community and Senior Center, 3750 N. Verdugo Road in the Public Storage building at 7 PM.
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE ALBERTSON'S market on Eagle Rock Blvd. in Glassell Park. Matt Heslin, owner
of the property, will talk about the new tenant, Tesco. This U.K. Based grocery chain, will not only be a first for
Glassell Park and Northeast L.A., but also for the entire country. The meeting takes place at the Glassell Park
Community and Senior Center, 3750 N. Verdugo Road in the Public Storage building at 7 PM.
(Monday, July 31, 2006) - IT'S OFFICIAL !! L.A. City Council President, Eric Garcetti, has opened Council
District 13's first Satellite field office at the Glassell Park Community and Senior Center at 3750 N. Verdugo Road.
The office will be staffed by Council District 13's Senior Caseworker, Sally Martinez. According to Eric Garcetti,
"...constituents can get the same high standard of services and assistance with neighborhood issues at our
satellite office that you have come to expect from interacting with our professional CD13 team in our Hollywood
district office... her work with city departments making sure that all complaints and concerns are resolved, her
expert direction of our contact management system, and her excellence at managing phone and walk-in cases
have distinguished her service to the people of CD13. If you live in CD13 and you've come to us with a problem,
it's likely that Sally has had the solution."
Sally has already spruced up the lobby and is a very welcome presence at the Center. Please stop in and
welcome her to Glassell Park if you have the chance! CD 13's Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Friday, from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM. Thursday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (323) 478-9002,
Fax: (323)478-1296.
On Saturday, Sept. 23rd, join Eric and Staff for a special open house and dedication of the new constituent
center at 9 AM.
District 13's first Satellite field office at the Glassell Park Community and Senior Center at 3750 N. Verdugo Road.
The office will be staffed by Council District 13's Senior Caseworker, Sally Martinez. According to Eric Garcetti,
"...constituents can get the same high standard of services and assistance with neighborhood issues at our
satellite office that you have come to expect from interacting with our professional CD13 team in our Hollywood
district office... her work with city departments making sure that all complaints and concerns are resolved, her
expert direction of our contact management system, and her excellence at managing phone and walk-in cases
have distinguished her service to the people of CD13. If you live in CD13 and you've come to us with a problem,
it's likely that Sally has had the solution."
Sally has already spruced up the lobby and is a very welcome presence at the Center. Please stop in and
welcome her to Glassell Park if you have the chance! CD 13's Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Friday, from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM. Thursday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Phone: (323) 478-9002,
Fax: (323)478-1296.
On Saturday, Sept. 23rd, join Eric and Staff for a special open house and dedication of the new constituent
center at 9 AM.
Sally Martinez
(Monday, July 31, 2006) - BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!!! Thanks to CD 13's intrepid Director of Constituent
Services, Mitch O'Farrell, the Department of Rec and Parks has chosen the Glassell Park Community and Senior
Center to be one of its fully-funded Senior Centers. That means that one full-time and one part-time staff member
will operate programs for seniors in addition to the daily senior lunch program. Programs will likely include
exercise classes, life-enrichment classes and specialized services and support for our local Senior population.
This program should be up and running sometime in September.
This program is totally separate from and in addition to the Glassell Park Seniors Club which offers social
programs, leisure trips, and weekly bingo on Fridays in its own meeting room at the Center.
Services, Mitch O'Farrell, the Department of Rec and Parks has chosen the Glassell Park Community and Senior
Center to be one of its fully-funded Senior Centers. That means that one full-time and one part-time staff member
will operate programs for seniors in addition to the daily senior lunch program. Programs will likely include
exercise classes, life-enrichment classes and specialized services and support for our local Senior population.
This program should be up and running sometime in September.
This program is totally separate from and in addition to the Glassell Park Seniors Club which offers social
programs, leisure trips, and weekly bingo on Fridays in its own meeting room at the Center.
| Mitch O'Farrell Helen Jacobs |
(Monday, June 12, 2006) - Super King Market will open Wednesday, June 14th at the site of the former
Ralph's Market on San Fernando Road at Edward Way. The actual address is 2716 N. San Fernando Road
LA, CA 90065. Mary, Peter, and Vache Fermanian have totally remodeled the store with beautiful wooden
produce bins and check out counters. You can learn more about Super King Market at their website. There will be
a bakery, a nut bar, fresh halal meat department and a sit-down cafe -- and lots and lots of fresh produce. I'm
told the cafe and deli section is beautiful. Just what Glassell Park has been waiting for!
Ralph's Market on San Fernando Road at Edward Way. The actual address is 2716 N. San Fernando Road
LA, CA 90065. Mary, Peter, and Vache Fermanian have totally remodeled the store with beautiful wooden
produce bins and check out counters. You can learn more about Super King Market at their website. There will be
a bakery, a nut bar, fresh halal meat department and a sit-down cafe -- and lots and lots of fresh produce. I'm
told the cafe and deli section is beautiful. Just what Glassell Park has been waiting for!
(Sunday, May 28, 2006) - Glassell Park is
looking good! The community garden that
the GPIA planted on Earth Day beneath the
North Monument is in full bloom. It boasts
an abundance of gazanias, agapanthas,
yarrow, lavender, marigolds, status, day
lilies, hollyhocks, guaras, gerbera daisies
and butterfly plants. Elsewhere, the GPIA -
sponsored garden that Suzie Wilkinson and
Lynn Simms planted on the median in front
of Public Storage, and Suzie's parkway
garden on Ave. 40, east of Eagle Rock Blvd.
looking good! The community garden that
the GPIA planted on Earth Day beneath the
North Monument is in full bloom. It boasts
an abundance of gazanias, agapanthas,
yarrow, lavender, marigolds, status, day
lilies, hollyhocks, guaras, gerbera daisies
and butterfly plants. Elsewhere, the GPIA -
sponsored garden that Suzie Wilkinson and
Lynn Simms planted on the median in front
of Public Storage, and Suzie's parkway
garden on Ave. 40, east of Eagle Rock Blvd.
are all blooming magnificently, too. We'll be taking aim at the South Monument very soon! If you are out walking along
Eagle Rock Blvd, or any public spot in Glassell Park, please stop and pick up any trash you see on the ground. We can
all do our part to keep our neighborhood looking clean and well cared for. You will set a great example for our youth,
and adults too! And, if you bring your cell phone with you, please stop and dial 311 to report any bulky items, illegal
dumping or graffiti. It's an easy and efficient way to combat the recent rise in tagging in our neighborhood. The graffiti
abatement contractors can use pressure washers and steam cleaners to remove graffiti on metal surfaces, sidewalks, or
block walls. You just have to let the 311 operator know which method is most appropriate: removal or painting over.
To see photos from the Earth Day garden party in April, 2006, click here.
Eagle Rock Blvd, or any public spot in Glassell Park, please stop and pick up any trash you see on the ground. We can
all do our part to keep our neighborhood looking clean and well cared for. You will set a great example for our youth,
and adults too! And, if you bring your cell phone with you, please stop and dial 311 to report any bulky items, illegal
dumping or graffiti. It's an easy and efficient way to combat the recent rise in tagging in our neighborhood. The graffiti
abatement contractors can use pressure washers and steam cleaners to remove graffiti on metal surfaces, sidewalks, or
block walls. You just have to let the 311 operator know which method is most appropriate: removal or painting over.
To see photos from the Earth Day garden party in April, 2006, click here.
(Sunday May 28, 2006) - Community Beautification Grants. The next round of LA Public Work's Community
Beautification Grant program starts in July. If you have an idea to spruce up our neighborhood, you can apply for up
to $10,000, to make your vision reality. If you're a GPIA member, the GPIA can act as your community group sponsor.
The first CBG workshop is July 18th at the Arroyo Seco Branch Library, 6145 N. Figueroa St. Highland Park, CA
90042, 6-7 PM. The GPIA has sponsored numerous CBG grants in the past: The Crestmoore Place Steps, the Median
garden at Public Storage and the "Field Day" mural at Fletcher Dr. and Estara. Our Neighborhood Council recently
received a grant to fund a bus shelter at the South Monument at Eagle Rock Blvd. and San Fernando Road. For more
information and the complete workshop schedule go to www.laocb.org
Beautification Grant program starts in July. If you have an idea to spruce up our neighborhood, you can apply for up
to $10,000, to make your vision reality. If you're a GPIA member, the GPIA can act as your community group sponsor.
The first CBG workshop is July 18th at the Arroyo Seco Branch Library, 6145 N. Figueroa St. Highland Park, CA
90042, 6-7 PM. The GPIA has sponsored numerous CBG grants in the past: The Crestmoore Place Steps, the Median
garden at Public Storage and the "Field Day" mural at Fletcher Dr. and Estara. Our Neighborhood Council recently
received a grant to fund a bus shelter at the South Monument at Eagle Rock Blvd. and San Fernando Road. For more
information and the complete workshop schedule go to www.laocb.org
(Sunday, May 28, 2006) - If you live on a street where these signs are posted, you need to remove your vehicle
from your street on Red Flag Days. A Red Flag Day is declared when weather conditions such as low humidity and high
wind velocity create an extremely high potential for a brush fire to spread rapidly. Red Flag Days are predicted to occur
1-7 days per year. In the hills of Glassell Park, there are many narrow streets. Loaded with parked cars, they create
choke points that impede evacuations of residents and access for emergency vehicles. For more information about Red
Flag Days, visit. www.lafd.org and click on the Red Flag link. Media outlets have agreed to announce when Red Flag
Days are declared by the LA Fire department, and every LA fire station will fly a red flag while restricted parking is in
effect.
from your street on Red Flag Days. A Red Flag Day is declared when weather conditions such as low humidity and high
wind velocity create an extremely high potential for a brush fire to spread rapidly. Red Flag Days are predicted to occur
1-7 days per year. In the hills of Glassell Park, there are many narrow streets. Loaded with parked cars, they create
choke points that impede evacuations of residents and access for emergency vehicles. For more information about Red
Flag Days, visit. www.lafd.org and click on the Red Flag link. Media outlets have agreed to announce when Red Flag
Days are declared by the LA Fire department, and every LA fire station will fly a red flag while restricted parking is in
effect.
(Friday, May 26, 2006) - At the May 18th GPIA Meeting, members met our new field deputy from Council District 14,
Luis Hernandez. Council District 14 covers roughly the northern half of Glassell Park and is represented by
Councilmember Jose Huizar. The south side of Glassell Park is represented by Council President Eric Garcetti, who was
our featured speaker at the meeting. He talked about the LAPD, fighting crime, gangs and graffiti, open space, as well as
commercial and residential development in our neighborhood. Eric spent about an hour-and-a-quarter responding to
member's questions in an easy and relaxed manner. Also on the agenda was LA Fire Battalion Chief, John Vidovich, who
answered questions about brush clearance and parking restrictions on Red Flag Days. And the Land Use Consultant,
Designer, and Broker for the new mixed-use development being built at 3901 Eagle Rock Blvd reviewed their design for
the project. Broker Bill Gilmore is working to attract retailers like Starbucks, a deli, and dry cleaner, etc., to the complex of
114 condos and 70,000 square feet of retail (see our Sept '05 Newsletter for more details). The development should be
complete sometime in late 2007.
Luis Hernandez. Council District 14 covers roughly the northern half of Glassell Park and is represented by
Councilmember Jose Huizar. The south side of Glassell Park is represented by Council President Eric Garcetti, who was
our featured speaker at the meeting. He talked about the LAPD, fighting crime, gangs and graffiti, open space, as well as
commercial and residential development in our neighborhood. Eric spent about an hour-and-a-quarter responding to
member's questions in an easy and relaxed manner. Also on the agenda was LA Fire Battalion Chief, John Vidovich, who
answered questions about brush clearance and parking restrictions on Red Flag Days. And the Land Use Consultant,
Designer, and Broker for the new mixed-use development being built at 3901 Eagle Rock Blvd reviewed their design for
the project. Broker Bill Gilmore is working to attract retailers like Starbucks, a deli, and dry cleaner, etc., to the complex of
114 condos and 70,000 square feet of retail (see our Sept '05 Newsletter for more details). The development should be
complete sometime in late 2007.
Luis Hernandez
Eric Garcetti
(Friday, May 26, 2006) - On Saturday May 13, we talked about high school. Specifically, the new Glassell Park High
school being built on Parcel F of Taylor yard. The meeting was open to all residents of Northeast LA. State Assembly Rep.
Jackie Goldberg and LAUSD Project manager, Susan Cline were there, along with project architects who showed a 3D,
computerized model of the proposed new design. It's fair to say the audience was not "wowed" by the architectural
renderings. But it is a preliminary design and more community input meetings are scheduled. GPIA member and
Community activist Alisa Smith has put together a survey for middle school students to fill out on what kind of sports and
academic programs they would like to see at the new school. The campus will have five separate classroom buildings;
each with its own distinct academic focus.
Suggested ideas for curriculum were: Environmental/LA River watershed studies, Performing Arts and Plastic Arts like
Ceramics and Painting. Jackie Goldberg pointed out that one of the main reasons we have such an alarming dropout rate,
is not that students can't do the work, it's that they are bored. The more schools can do to offer diverse fields of study to
match students' natural talents and interests, the better chance we have to keep them in school and help them establish
successful lives. Keep checking back to this website and the NELA List for announcements of the next meeting.
school being built on Parcel F of Taylor yard. The meeting was open to all residents of Northeast LA. State Assembly Rep.
Jackie Goldberg and LAUSD Project manager, Susan Cline were there, along with project architects who showed a 3D,
computerized model of the proposed new design. It's fair to say the audience was not "wowed" by the architectural
renderings. But it is a preliminary design and more community input meetings are scheduled. GPIA member and
Community activist Alisa Smith has put together a survey for middle school students to fill out on what kind of sports and
academic programs they would like to see at the new school. The campus will have five separate classroom buildings;
each with its own distinct academic focus.
Suggested ideas for curriculum were: Environmental/LA River watershed studies, Performing Arts and Plastic Arts like
Ceramics and Painting. Jackie Goldberg pointed out that one of the main reasons we have such an alarming dropout rate,
is not that students can't do the work, it's that they are bored. The more schools can do to offer diverse fields of study to
match students' natural talents and interests, the better chance we have to keep them in school and help them establish
successful lives. Keep checking back to this website and the NELA List for announcements of the next meeting.
(Tuesday, April 25, 2006) - April 22 was Earth Day and the GPIA celebrated by totally redesigning the garden
underneath the Glassell Park monument sign on Eagle Rock Blvd. near York. As you drive by take a look at our handy work.
Our good deeds were rewarded by Mother Nature who sent us a rain shower early Sunday morning. Saturday's hard working
volunteers included: Mitch O'Farrell, Alfred Marin and Denise Eberle, Janis and Bob McCarthy, Laura Gutierrez, Brian
Frobisher, Jim Kiehl and Wilbur, Luigi Dal Ponte, Betsy Mines, John Geary and George Brauckman. (PICTURES)
underneath the Glassell Park monument sign on Eagle Rock Blvd. near York. As you drive by take a look at our handy work.
Our good deeds were rewarded by Mother Nature who sent us a rain shower early Sunday morning. Saturday's hard working
volunteers included: Mitch O'Farrell, Alfred Marin and Denise Eberle, Janis and Bob McCarthy, Laura Gutierrez, Brian
Frobisher, Jim Kiehl and Wilbur, Luigi Dal Ponte, Betsy Mines, John Geary and George Brauckman. (PICTURES)
(Tuesday, April 25, 2006) - On Wednesday April 26th Parks and Recreation, Eric Garcetti and Nike will dedicate the
all new, synthetic soccer field that Nike donated to the Glassell Park Recreation Center. Thank you Nike, and thank
you to Council President Garcetti and his staff for advocating for this tremendous gift from Nike. Nike will donate three Joga
Bonito soccer fields in Los Angeles, three fields in New York and four fields in Chicago. Each of the 10 fields is made from
FieldTurf synthetic grass, and is designed to introduce the Brazilian futsal-style of small-field soccer that emphasizes ball
control and foot skills to youth recreation and club teams. U.S. Soccer stars Landon Donovan and Brandi Chastain, Council
President Garcetti and our local favorite Sr. Director, Ramon Bernal will be at the Glassell Park Recreation Center for the
dedication. It's at 4 p.m. at 3650 N. Verdugo Road (near Eagle Rock Blvd.) in Glassell Park, 90065.
all new, synthetic soccer field that Nike donated to the Glassell Park Recreation Center. Thank you Nike, and thank
you to Council President Garcetti and his staff for advocating for this tremendous gift from Nike. Nike will donate three Joga
Bonito soccer fields in Los Angeles, three fields in New York and four fields in Chicago. Each of the 10 fields is made from
FieldTurf synthetic grass, and is designed to introduce the Brazilian futsal-style of small-field soccer that emphasizes ball
control and foot skills to youth recreation and club teams. U.S. Soccer stars Landon Donovan and Brandi Chastain, Council
President Garcetti and our local favorite Sr. Director, Ramon Bernal will be at the Glassell Park Recreation Center for the
dedication. It's at 4 p.m. at 3650 N. Verdugo Road (near Eagle Rock Blvd.) in Glassell Park, 90065.
(Tuesday, March 28, 2006) - LAUSD Board of Education unanimously adopts a Resolution of Necessity which
authorizes the district to begin eminent domain proceedings to acquire Parcel F of Taylor Yard for a high school in
Glassell Park.
Today at a special meeting of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Facilities Services Division asked the board to adopt
a Resolution of Necessity and authorization to acquire Parcel F of Taylor Yard by eminent domain for the construction of a high
school. The Board unanimously approved the Resolution of Necessity, as it was presented to them by Facilities Services. The
owner of the property, Mr. Richard Meruelo, asked the board to adopt an amended Resolution of Necessity that would allow him
to “work” with the school board to come up with a joint-use project on Parcel F, with the school located somewhere else in the
vicinity. (continued)
authorizes the district to begin eminent domain proceedings to acquire Parcel F of Taylor Yard for a high school in
Glassell Park.
Today at a special meeting of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Facilities Services Division asked the board to adopt
a Resolution of Necessity and authorization to acquire Parcel F of Taylor Yard by eminent domain for the construction of a high
school. The Board unanimously approved the Resolution of Necessity, as it was presented to them by Facilities Services. The
owner of the property, Mr. Richard Meruelo, asked the board to adopt an amended Resolution of Necessity that would allow him
to “work” with the school board to come up with a joint-use project on Parcel F, with the school located somewhere else in the
vicinity. (continued)
(Sunday, March 19) - GPIA MEETING RECAP: On Thursday, March 16 Dr. Steve Maradian, president of Los Angeles City
College was our featured speaker. Dr. Maradian brought a board displaying the design for the new LACC Northeast Campus.
Working with the State government and the Division of State Architects has been a laborious process and the projected date for
the school to open its doors is sometime in 2008. The College has had to scale back its plan to build three buildings down to
only two. The reason for this is that as time has gone by, construction costs have skyrocketed and the money allocated for the
college back in 2001, is not enough to build at today's rates...
College was our featured speaker. Dr. Maradian brought a board displaying the design for the new LACC Northeast Campus.
Working with the State government and the Division of State Architects has been a laborious process and the projected date for
the school to open its doors is sometime in 2008. The College has had to scale back its plan to build three buildings down to
only two. The reason for this is that as time has gone by, construction costs have skyrocketed and the money allocated for the
college back in 2001, is not enough to build at today's rates...
(Thursday, March 16) - Today the GPIA's revamped Web Site goes live. I have endeavored to consolidate some useful
information here and will continue to update the site and refine it as time goes on. Some sections are a work in progress, and I
will continue to work on them and bring them up to date. If any of you long-time GPIA members have thoughts or stories you
would like to share on this site, please email me at gpia.alert@sbcglobal.net. Thanks for your continued support - Cheers!
George Brauckman, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, GPIA.
(Wednesday, March 1) - Two's company, Four's a crowd: NO HOME DEPOT -- NORTHEAST L. A. Coalition is launched.
Did you know that Home Depot has signed a lease to build another Giant Big Box store on the former Kmart site at San
Fernando and Fletcher in Glassell Park? Do we really need another Home Depot in our community, when there is already one
down the street in Cypress Park and two stores up the street in Glendale, and a fourth in Burbank? OF COURSE WE DON'T!!
If you would like to see a mixed-use development on this site, with proper traffic mitigation, some retail shops, a gym, a small
movie theater and some housing and office space let Council member Garcetti know. Visit www.nohomedepot.org for more
information about the coalition and how you can help.
information here and will continue to update the site and refine it as time goes on. Some sections are a work in progress, and I
will continue to work on them and bring them up to date. If any of you long-time GPIA members have thoughts or stories you
would like to share on this site, please email me at gpia.alert@sbcglobal.net. Thanks for your continued support - Cheers!
George Brauckman, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, GPIA.
(Wednesday, March 1) - Two's company, Four's a crowd: NO HOME DEPOT -- NORTHEAST L. A. Coalition is launched.
Did you know that Home Depot has signed a lease to build another Giant Big Box store on the former Kmart site at San
Fernando and Fletcher in Glassell Park? Do we really need another Home Depot in our community, when there is already one
down the street in Cypress Park and two stores up the street in Glendale, and a fourth in Burbank? OF COURSE WE DON'T!!
If you would like to see a mixed-use development on this site, with proper traffic mitigation, some retail shops, a gym, a small
movie theater and some housing and office space let Council member Garcetti know. Visit www.nohomedepot.org for more
information about the coalition and how you can help.
| Glassell Park Improvement Association P.O. Box 65881 Glassell Park, CA 90065 gpiaalert@gmail.com |
