The East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor: Rendered

Though its June 2018 opening date looms on the distant horizon, few details regarding the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor (ESFVTC) are set in stone.  The project, partially funded through $170 million in Measure R revenue, will improve public transportation along a nine-mile swath between the Orange Line busway and Sylmar.  The proposed transit line would serve an area which is home to over 460,000 people--a larger total than either the cities of Atlanta and Miami.  Approximately 35% of residents within this region are deemed transit dependent, a fact which is exemplified by the high level of bus ridership along Van Nuys Boulevard.

Metro is currently compiling a draft environmental impact report for the project, which will study six different options for the ESFVTC.  These alternatives include: 1) no-build, 2) transportation systems management, 3) curb-running bus rapid transit, 4) median-running bus rapid transit, 5) low-floor light rail transit/tram, and 6) median-running light rail transit.  Although the eventual mode of transportation remains undetermined, a series of artistic renderings portray the hypothetical changes which could be wrought through the project.

Van Nuys Parcel Getting Nondescript Hotel Action (UPDATED)

5746 Sepulveda Boulevard

UPDATE: Documents from the Department of City Planning indicate that the new project shall be a La Quinta Inn and Suites.  Get ready for some knock-off Mission style architecture, Van Nuys.

Low slung Sepulveda Boulevard is starting to grow a little bit taller in Van Nuys.  Back in November, the Department of City Planning received a proposal to redevelop the site of the 32-room El Cortez Motel.  Plans call for the demolition for the parcel's four existing structures, followed by the construction of a four-story hotel containing 73 guest rooms.  The project, situated just a few blocks south of an Orange Line Station, would be served by 60 parking spaces.  The redevelopment of the El Cortez Motel is actually one of two projects in pre-development along this stretch of Sepulveda.  Just two lots to the south, plans are in the works for a 131-unit mixed-use development known as Sepulveda Square.  Of course, the nature and design of the new hospitality project are complete unknowns.  Given the existing auto-oriented hotel and surrounding neighborhood, its difficult to imagine something with pedestrian-friendly urban design here.

• Case Information Summary Sheet (LA City Planning)
• More Apartments Over Retail in Van Nuys (Building Los Angeles)

More Apartments Over Retail in Van Nuys

5700 N Sepulveda Boulevard

Building Los Angeles doesn't often trek north of the Santa Monica Mountains, but a renewed focus on urban communities in the San Fernando Valley has started to change this.  A variety of mixed-use developments are currently in the pipeline, concentrated in walkable hubs in Glendale, North Hollywood and Warner Center.  One of the newest players in the arena is a project anointed as Sepulveda Square.  Plans call for 131 apartments and just over 8,000 square feet of ground floor retail space, encased within a five-story structure north of the intersection of Sepulveda and Burbank Boulevards.  The building would feature a two-floor parking garage with room for 274 automobiles and 154 bikes, with one level situated below grade.  Residents can feel free to leave their cars behind, with the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area and an Orange Line busway station both just a hop skip away.  If Sepulveda Square residents really want to drive, they can always brave the ever-crowded 405 one block to the west.

•  Case Information Summary Sheet (LA City Planning)

Check Out the Upcoming SFV Family Support Center

San Fernando Valley Family Support Center.  Image from HKS Architects via World Architecture News.

Back in September, longtime County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky announced that the San Fernando Valley Family Support Center was breaking ground in Van Nuys.  Located at the southwest corner of Van Nuys Boulevard and Saticoy Street, the 220,000 square foot project carries a price tag of $175.9 million.  When the LEED Gold certified facility opens in August 2015, the departments of Children and Family Services, Public Social Services, Child Support Services, Probation, Health Services, Mental Health and Public Healthy shall be unified under one roof.  Putting these agencies in close quarters will hopefully facilitate better collaboration, allowing them to serve the citizens of LA County more effectively.  The five-story structure was designed by Los Angeles based HKS Architects, whose prior work includes the Montage Beverly Hills.  A key feature of the 6.8 acre campus is its large interior courtyard, featuring numerous gathering spaces and a children's play area.  Family oriented, indeed.

• Bringing the Family Together (Zev Yaroslavsky)
• Family Comes First... (World Architecture News)

Van Nuys Getting 126 Apartments

7133 N Woodley

According to documents submitted to the Department of City Planning, a large parking lot east of the Van Nuys Airport is pegged to receive a new residential development.  Here's what we know so far:

7133 N Woodley Ave

Construction of a 126 unit apartment building on two adjoining vacant lots. The proposed project size is 138,296 sq. ft. of floor area and will be 45 ft. in height. The project will provide 224 parking spaces. A Density Bonus entitlement is requested to permit an increase in floor area ratio (FAR) from 1.5 to 2.6. Twelve of the 126 units will be set aside for very low income.

Sounds about par for the course with apartment buildings in the valley.  Four floors, lots of parking and no ground floor retail.  This proposal is within walking distance of the busy Van Nuys Airport, so ample sound proofing and triple paned windows will probably be necessary here.

No one would call 7133 N Woodley a "transit-oriented development," but it does have an Orange Line station located one mile to the south.  That's a tough walk in the valley's blistering summer heat, but a relatively quick bike ride.