The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 107, No. 17 - April 26, 2018
Inside
This Issue
Ask a Realtor.......................9
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.....................14
Classifieds............................4
Crossword/Sudoku.............4
Entertainment......................6
Legals............................ 12,13
Pets......................................14
Police Reports.....................3
Real Estate.....................7-11
Sports....................................5
Weekend
Forecast
Run For Education a Big Success
Over 1,600 runners started the 27th annual El Segundo Run For Education 5K/10K last Saturday on Main Street. The annual PTA Council fundraiser benefits local schools. Photo by Gregg McMullin.
For more Run for Education photos see page 15.
Smoky Hollow District Gets Ready
to Roll with Specific Plan Update
By Brian Simon
The community got a sneak peak at what the
future may be for El Segundo’s Smoky Hollow
at a launch event last Thursday introducing
the new specific plan for the industrial district
-- the first update of the document since the
1980s. The program that took place at Big
Door Studios included a 20-minute presentation
(shown three separate times) followed by
question and answer sessions. The City of El
Segundo’s goal is to “provide a framework
and long-term strategy to guide public and
private investment” in Smoky Hollow, which
has already become a hub for creative media
companies looking for prime space near the
beach, adjacent freeway access, comparative
low cost, small town charm, great building
stock, eclectic uses and good schools.
In the PowerPoint presentation, the City
describes Smoky Hollow as “an eclectic
incubator district of creative, innovative and
dynamic businesses.” Three of the guiding
principles of the plan are to promote a vibrant
area to transform it into a creative center for
El Segundo and the region as a whole, support
infrastructure improvements to attract
and retain employee-intensive businesses, and
preserve the mid-century industrial feel and
small-town character.
The plan also looks to encourage land uses
that support the district’s vision for commercial
and industrial development that promotes new
and existing businesses while also maintaining
economic growth, incorporating sustainability
elements, and protecting nearby residential
neighborhoods. The City hopes to build Smoky
Hollow’s image as a walkable, pedestrianfriendly
area with “intimate outdoor spaces”
that provide a sense of community – with
architecture that balances the historic industrial
look with innovative sensibilities that suit
today’s creative firms. The plan also calls for
seamless connectivity into adjacent Sepulveda
(soon-to-be PCH) as well as into downtown El
Segundo via accessible bike and walking paths.
The design vision pictures property sites with
enhanced entry expression, lush landscaping
with drought-tolerant plants, street furniture
and easy access. Before and after images of
streetscapes and mobility provide snapshots
of Smoky Hollow’s key arteries as they are
today versus what the specific plan imagines.
Among the proposed changes are on-street
parking for El Segundo Boulevard with street
trees and planters; one-way traffic with angled
parking, artistic pedestrian crossings and parklets
on the north/south streets; and street trees
and parklets with resurfacing for shared roads
welcoming all modes of travels (e.g. bicycles)
on Franklin Street.
“The specific plan is important as a comprehensive,
flexible and creative framework
that will enable new and existing businesses
to thrive and contribute to El Segundo’s success,”
City Planning Manager Gregg McClain
See Smoky Hollow, page 2
El Segundo School Board Honors
Top Personnel and Superintendent
By Duane Plank
Tuesday evening’s meeting of the
El Segundo School Board featured
recognition of the educators of the year,
classified employees of the year, School
Resource Officer Scott Black, and Superintendent
Melissa Moore.
Black received the first recognition. He
has served El Segundo Unified School
District (ESUSD) as the school resource
officer since the fall of 2014. El Segundo
High Principal Jennifer Tedford emailed,
“We are so fortunate to have the support
and guidance of Officer Black. Officer
Black has been an outstanding resource
in maximizing the safety and security of
our campus.”
Moore added, “He has done an excellent
job for our kids. We just want to say
thank you.” Police Chief Bill Whalen, in
a prior Board meeting, had posited the
possibility of adding a second resource
officer, necessitated, he said, with the fall
2017 opening of Wiseburn High inside the
El Segundo city limits. Moore said that
District administration is advocating for
ESUSD to have its own dedicated school
resource officer.
Middle School Assistant Principal Ali
Rabiei extolled the virtues of Black, who
was then presented with an appreciation
plaque from Board President Emilee Layne.
Executive Director of Human Resources
See School Board, page 13
Friday
Sunny
62˚/55˚
Saturday
Sunny
63˚/54˚
Sunday
Sunny
65˚/55˚