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Post-Periodical, CA
Aug 26 2014
City Council Approves $1 Lease for Armenian Center in Encino
By Matt Thacker on Aug 26, 2014.
The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to lease the old Fire
Station No. 83 in Encino to the Armenian Cultural Foundation for $1
per year for 30 years.
The motion was approved unanimously without discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
The former fire station at 5001 North Balboa Boulevard has been vacant
for eight years. Councilmember Paul Koretz, who introduced the motion
in April 2013, wrote last year that the site had become a safety
hazard.
"The site has fallen victim to copper wire theft, vagrancy, graffiti
and illegal dumping," Koretz stated.
The nonprofit Armenian Cultural Foundation plans to create a community
center. The foundation operates dozens of community centers across the
United States with after-school programs, senior and social services,
cultural affairs, community meetings and recreational services.
"It's these types of public-private partnerships that make the city a
better place to live" Hrair Nahabedian, chairman of the local ACF
chapter, told Asbarez.com. "We look forward to focusing our resources
and turning this dilapidated, old fire station into a thriving center
for the entire community."
The $1 lease has been the subject of controversy since the plan was
announced. Last year, the Encino Neighborhood Council passed a motion
13-4 disapproving of the "manner, circumstances and terms of the
lease." The Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council also passed a motion
asking the city to complete further study of the property before
approving a lease.
More than 600 community members signed a petition attempting to block
the plan with some residents accusing city leaders of making a
back-room deal, according to the LA Daily News. Parents at nearby
Encino Community Charter Elementary School had hoped the property
could be used by the school.
The original motion was made by Councilmember Paul Koretz and
then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti and seconded by Paul Krekorian. At
the time, the councilmembers were hoping to approve a lease of at
least 50 years by last summer.
According to the City Administrative Officer, the 20,000-square-foot
property has a rental value opportunity of $5.3 million to $6.6
million during the term of the lease. The Innovation, Technology and
General Services Committee noted in a fiscal impact statement that the
economic benefits provided by the foundation for the community will
total $16.9 million in direct expenses during that time period.
"These figures do not take into consideration the $1.2 million to $1.5
million that ACF will invest in tenant improvement work at the
facility," the committee stated. "Additionally, the ACF will be
financially responsible for all maintenance, repairs, utilities,
janitorial, and security costs associated with the property."
The foundation has not responded to a request for comment.
http://www.postperiodical.com/city-council-approves-1-lease-armenian-center-encino/
Aug 26 2014
City Council Approves $1 Lease for Armenian Center in Encino
By Matt Thacker on Aug 26, 2014.
The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to lease the old Fire
Station No. 83 in Encino to the Armenian Cultural Foundation for $1
per year for 30 years.
The motion was approved unanimously without discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
The former fire station at 5001 North Balboa Boulevard has been vacant
for eight years. Councilmember Paul Koretz, who introduced the motion
in April 2013, wrote last year that the site had become a safety
hazard.
"The site has fallen victim to copper wire theft, vagrancy, graffiti
and illegal dumping," Koretz stated.
The nonprofit Armenian Cultural Foundation plans to create a community
center. The foundation operates dozens of community centers across the
United States with after-school programs, senior and social services,
cultural affairs, community meetings and recreational services.
"It's these types of public-private partnerships that make the city a
better place to live" Hrair Nahabedian, chairman of the local ACF
chapter, told Asbarez.com. "We look forward to focusing our resources
and turning this dilapidated, old fire station into a thriving center
for the entire community."
The $1 lease has been the subject of controversy since the plan was
announced. Last year, the Encino Neighborhood Council passed a motion
13-4 disapproving of the "manner, circumstances and terms of the
lease." The Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council also passed a motion
asking the city to complete further study of the property before
approving a lease.
More than 600 community members signed a petition attempting to block
the plan with some residents accusing city leaders of making a
back-room deal, according to the LA Daily News. Parents at nearby
Encino Community Charter Elementary School had hoped the property
could be used by the school.
The original motion was made by Councilmember Paul Koretz and
then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti and seconded by Paul Krekorian. At
the time, the councilmembers were hoping to approve a lease of at
least 50 years by last summer.
According to the City Administrative Officer, the 20,000-square-foot
property has a rental value opportunity of $5.3 million to $6.6
million during the term of the lease. The Innovation, Technology and
General Services Committee noted in a fiscal impact statement that the
economic benefits provided by the foundation for the community will
total $16.9 million in direct expenses during that time period.
"These figures do not take into consideration the $1.2 million to $1.5
million that ACF will invest in tenant improvement work at the
facility," the committee stated. "Additionally, the ACF will be
financially responsible for all maintenance, repairs, utilities,
janitorial, and security costs associated with the property."
The foundation has not responded to a request for comment.
http://www.postperiodical.com/city-council-approves-1-lease-armenian-center-encino/