*
LongBeachReport.com | LBReport.com | RDA Mgm't Recommends Demolishing Atlantic Theater, Salvaging Spire & Some Parts That "May Be Considered" For Inclusion in Future New NLB Library; RDA Board Vote Could Come <nobr>May 3</nobr>
LBReport.com
News
RDA Mgm't Recommends Demolishing Atlantic Theater, Salvaging Spire & Some Parts That "May Be Considered" For Inclusion in Future New NLB Library; RDA Board Vote Could Come May 3
(April 30, 2010) -- Citing consultant reports that raise seismic issues and cost differentials, staff of LB's Redevelopment Agency is recommending that the RDA Board approve seeking a demolition permit for most of the Atlantic Theater (5870-74 Atlantic Ave.) while retaining its iconic spire tower and some features it says "may be considered" for inclusion in a future new NLB library.
Photo source: North Village Center draft EIR
If the RDA Board approves that RDA management's recommendation, most of the 1940's building would demolished, clearing land for a new mixed-use project sought by a developer...while certain salvaged items -- the Theater's spire tower, interior tile surrounding a drinking fountain, exterior facade tile and terrazo floors -- would be "stored until until a design architect is selected at which time these elements may be considered for incorporation into a new library facility."
Photo source: Consultant report by Building Analytics
Demolition of most of the building, while retaining its more distinctive parts, was termed a "hybrid plan" last year and supported by Vice Mayor Val Lerch.
To view RDA management's agedizing memo, click here
To view reports by RDA management's hired consultants, click here.
A consultant's cost model estimates development of a new branch library/community center would cost $8,711,000 and says adaptive reuse of the existing buildings would cost $9,942,000. It says preserving some of the building for possible future inclusion would cost $9,121,000.
The agendized items permit RDA Board action on May 3...allowing the public only a few days to review the reports, some of which are dated several weeks ago. The non-elected RDA Board could vote to approve RDA staff's recommendations on May 3...or fashion its own.
Appearance of the Atlantic Theater item on the RDA Board's May 3 agenda was accurately foretold on LBReport.com nearly a week ago by Dan Pressburg, citing a cryptic reference to an April 19 RDA Board closed executive session with no details offered by an RDA staffer at the April 22 meeting of the North Redevelopment Project Area Committee (NorthPAC).
As previously reported by LBReport.com, RDA staff initially recommended demolition of the structure, but changed its recommendation at the December 7, 2009 RDA Board meeting.
Faced with what she said were multiple written communications received after the EIR formal public comment period closed, as well as verbal testimony at the RDA meeting urging reuse options, the RDA Board voted 4-0, to direct staff to hire an architect/consultant to analyze an adaptive reuse scenario, a new construction scenario (demolition) and a hybrid (demolition) scenario that will incorporate some significant historic features of the existing building (like the terrazzo floor and iconic structure) into a new building.
At the same time, management recommended and the RDA Board voted to certify the overall project EIR with a statement of "overriding considerations, ...legally clearing the way to demolish all or part of the building depending on what the RDA Board directs by voted action.
Public testimony at the December 2009 RDA Board meeting on whether to preserve/reuse or demolish the Theater was split.
Speakers testifying in favor of re-use included LB Heritage, as well as the owner of the LB's 4th St. Art Theater, this writer (Dan Pressburg), Annie Greenfeld-Wisner and an L.A. Theater preservation group and RDA Boardmember John Thomas. Mr. Thomas, who holds a leadership position in LB Heritage, got up from his RDA Board seat at the beginning of the item and went to sit in the audience, not explaining publicly what he was doing. He then testified in favor of reuse from the public speaker's podium, amounting to a de facto recusal but without a public explanation.
Among those testifying in favor of demolishing the Theater were North PAC President Martha Thuente, Dave San Jose and Barbara Bolin. A representative of Central Cha testified in favor of moving the project ahead as quickly as possible.
Vice Mayor Val Lerch testified in favor of preserving the Theater's iconic portions, including its tower (with a working cap light) for subsequent use while demolishing the rest of the building.
The EIR concluded that demolishing the Theater for a mixed use project would accomplish the goals of the project proposed by the developer...but the EIR also states that retaining and reusing the Theater -- which qualifies for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places -- is the superior environmental alternative.
