Construction on Parklet to Begin This Summer

By ALEXANDRIA BORDAS | Reporter

The proposed La Cruz Drive ‘parklet’ project that stirred controversy in the Palisades community last year is moving forward.

Project leader Don Scott said $30,000 has been raised for the City-approved parklet and construction is set to begin this summer. Elliot Zorensky, co-owner of UDO Real Estate, which owns the property where the parklet is slated to be built, is the top donor, according to Scott.

The parklet will take the place of one parking space in front of Palisades Garden Cafe.

Part of a program called People St., a parklet is a sidewalk expansion to create a people-oriented space in an urban setting.

Approved last July by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the Palisades parklet project experienced delays stemming from community concerns.

“There has been a wide range of complaints like putting kids in the middle of the street or cars potentially running into it, and we have worked with the Department of Transportation to address those concerns. But mainly people are just afraid of change,” said Scott, a senior V.P. at First Financial Bancorp and a Palisades resident for 25 years.

Final design plans will be revealed to the community in the coming weeks and then construction will begin.

Scott worked with the city and the organization Palisades PRIDE to bring the parklet to the Palisades because he saw the success of other parklets in similar communities.

Scott acknowledged there is an issue with cars not fully stopping at the intersection of La Cruz and Alma Real Drive but claims the parklet will force people to stop safely.

“The intent is to make it safer in that area and push for improvements in crosswalks,” he said. “With more activities happening in the area the more likely it is people will slow down.”

There are mandatory parklet features built in order to protect people, such as heavy planters, wheel stops and retro-reflective tape.

For updates, visit Palisades PRIDE at palisadespride.com