Talks OKd on Subway Land Proposals

The MTA board agreed Thursday to begin negotiations on the first two development proposals for agency land near the North Hollywood subway station--a new Los Angeles Children’s Museum and a senior housing project planned by the recording academy.

But both proposals faced serious questions Thursday over whether they are the best use of valuable land near the Red Line station, which will open June 24.

Developer Kerry Choppin objected to the MTA board negotiating for the prime real estate without putting the opportunity out for competitive bids.

Choppin said his firm has been looking at part of the vacant 17-acre MTA parcel for three years with the idea of building 280 townhomes and upscale apartments.

“We are here to oppose the way the process is taking place,” he told the board.

Confirming that there are other developers who have expressed interest in the properties, MTA administrators told the board they want to make sure the agency gets the best return on its investment.

Still, board members supported nonexclusive negotiations with the Children’s Museum board and representatives of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences based on the belief both projects would be well-suited to land near the subway station.

Councilman Hal Bernson, an MTA board member, said he is pleased the agency is finally getting firm proposals for its vacant land, though the subway station opens in just three months. “It’s a recognition of the fact that this area is going to be a transit hub,” he said.

Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents North Hollywood, said the land at the southeast corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Cumpston Street is “ideal” for the Children’s Museum, because it will allow children from all over the county easy access by rail.

But at least four other sites are being considered by Children’s Museum directors, including sites downtown and at Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace.

“We have a series of sites that we are negotiating on. They are all desirable sites,” said Doug Ring, the museum’s board chairman.

He said the museum will go to the first site that can be agreed upon, because museum officials have only until the end of June to use $9 million in city park bond money. Ring said the museum will seek a $1 annual lease.

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Wachs has introduced a City Council motion to have all of the sites evaluated, believing the North Hollywood location will be shown to be the best. But Councilman Alex Padilla, whose district includes Hansen Dam, disagrees that North Hollywood is the best site.

Putting the museum next to the North Hollywood station could take up 300 parking spaces needed for the Red Line terminal, said David Gershwin, a Padilla spokesman.

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said the museum should be moved to North Hollywood, but added he isn’t committed to any specific parcel. Nevertheless, he said, the project can go forward without affecting the amount of parking at the station.

“I know there are a lot of people who want the museum, but this is a good site,” Yaroslavsky said. “It’s in the San Fernando Valley and it’s at a subway stop easily accessible to people from both sides of the hill.”

Meanwhile, members of a citizens committee in North Hollywood questioned the proposal--offered by those who put on the Grammy awards--to build a six-story apartment building on MTA land across Lankershim Boulevard from the subway station.

Glenn Hoiby, chairman of the North Hollywood Project Area Committee, said the MTA should consider whether there are uses for the site that might bring high-paying jobs to the community.

MTA board members, however, said there is a need for senior housing, and that the Encore Hall project would set aside at least half of the 160 apartments for retired musicians who would be able to work with young people from the area in a musical mentoring program.

“We look forward to demonstrating to the MTA that our project can bring a lot of benefits to the community,” said Adam Sandler, a spokesman for the academy.