Hawthorne Press Tribune
Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - September 14, 2017
Hawthorne Cougars Tough on
Defense in Win Over South High
Last weekend, the Hawthorne High Cougars came out on top 33-14 in a road game matchup versus the South High Spartans. The Cougars played well on both sides of the ball and showed their mettle on
defense. In this photo, a group of Hawthorne defenders swarm South receiver Denton LoPiccolo. See more photo highlights inside this week’s edition. Photo by Dirk Dewachter
City Council Delays Final Vote on
Mixed-Use Project on Crenshaw
By Derrick Deane
onsite restaurant, the project also features
In an extensive discussion that extended well
other proposed benefits.
into the night, the Hawthorne City Council
“We’ve got a project-funded public art
heard from both residents and developers
program where we have committed to spending
on a proposed mixed-use residential and
a minimum of $100,000 on public art down
commercial project that would be located
Crenshaw,” Ganish said. “We have a very
within a half-mile of the Metro Green Line
aggressive transportation demand management
rail station. The project seeks to bring 274
plan and we also consider this urban renewal
residential units to the currently vacated lot
with wider sidewalks, introducing public open
of land along Crenshaw Boulevard, north of
space and we’re undergrounding the power
El Segundo Boulevard. The project would
lines.” The project is also expected to have
also include a restaurant as well as ample
an annual economic impact of more than
open courtyard space both for the public
$9 million once fully completed as well as
and private areas for residents. The project
create more than 600 jobs.
is expected to bring more than $400,000 in
Parking, an ever prevalent issue within
annual property tax revenue to the City of
Hawthorne, would be mitigated by each unit
Hawthorne, along with additional revenue
being allowed to park as many cars as that
from the onsite restaurant.
unit has bedrooms. Guest parking would be
“This is a project that we’ve been working
located within the residential parking structure
on for over two years now with the City,”
as well. Parking along Crenshaw Boulevard
Gilad Ganish of Blackwood Real Estate, LLC
is currently prohibited.
said. “We feel it is a significant symbol of
Developers of the project also hope to
progress for the city.”
sway potential tenants to adopt alternative
As promising as the project sounds, several
transportation methods by offering Metro and
residents voiced their concerns in topics
ZipCar memberships for the first two years
ranging from parking and traffic to population
residents are renting units within the building.
density and quality of life. “We’re against it.
Additionally, the project would allow for
SpaceX is against it and they have no interest
dedicated Uber and Lyft drop-off locations.
in it. There were a lot of businesses that
A left turn signal would also be added to
are going to be impacted by this and were
help control traffic of residents entering the
thrown into this that have no interest in this,”
parking structure.
one Hawthorne resident and business owner
“Statistics have shown that one ZipCar
said. “You need to stop it. You need to end
can replace up to 15 parking spaces,” Ganish
it.” A SpaceX representative was not at the
said of the car-sharing service. “We hear
meeting to confirm or deny the company’s
what some of the residents are saying about
position on the project.
traffic and congestion and those are all real
The residential project, which is aiming to
concerns within a city. In fact, they’re real
be completed by 2019, would be constructed
concerns within any city.”
within an industrial area--something that
Ganish quoted from the National League of
isn’t all too uncommon. Population density
Cities: “Developing more urban-scale buildings
in the area would increase by 260 percent.
with reduced parking ratios and access to
In addition to the increase in residents and
transit improves air quality and reduces
traffic congestions. Studies have indicated they
can reduce traffic and air pollution by up to
20 percent.” He went on to explain that the
reason many residential areas in Hawthorne
have parking issues is because either people
don’t use their garage for parking or their
residences only have one-car garages. He
noted that the project would only allow for
residents to park their car in their allotted
space and not store any belongings. “You
may not sign a lease if you have more cars
than bedrooms,” Ganish added to the parking
stipulations for the project.
The Hawthorne Planning Commission as
well as Assemblymember Autumn Burke,
Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas and other
elected officials have endorsed the project.
However, despite the project’s potential
promise, the City Council decided to move
cautiously.
Taking the lead from Mayor Pro Tem Hadir
Awad, the Council voted to approve the
Environmental Impact Report that had been
submitted. The group moved to continue the
official vote to approve or deny the project
until the next Council meeting later this month.
“There is no way this council has read
the entire thing,” Awad said of the proposed
project. “I can point out a few things now
that have not been vetted. Whether we go
forward for denial or approval, in my opinion
we should really vet this information because
there may have been crucial things that we
have overlooked.”
Regarding a petition that Blackwood reps
presented to the Council, Awad added, “You
have 3,100 individuals that may or may not
have given their approval for the project. At
the same time, there is information that I don’t
think we have looked through thoroughly to
give a crucial decision at this very point.” •
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