Larchmont Market faces uncertain future
WEST PARKING LOT is under negotiations with a Larchmont developer and the city.
Meeting at City Hall
Larchmont Boulevard parking lots #694 and #732 are on the agenda of the LADOT Board’s monthly meeting on Thu., Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. in City Hall. Agendas are listed at: ladot.lacity.gov/about/commissions.
Could closing a coveted parking lot on Larchmont Boulevard—that is home to its popular farmers markets, Clock Tower and, well, parking—be a good thing?
Some of the parties involved promise that it just might be.
A new, larger space for farmers to sell their green leafy offerings and ripe fruit could be had across the street, and drivers could stop circling the block and find ample parking—yet to be determined where—on North Larchmon, they say.
Larchmont Properties, Ltd., and City Council District 13 are in negotiations, which, under all scenarios, will ensure farmers’ produce and freshly baked breads will be available on the Boulevard, as always, at its twice-weekly farmers market.
The reason for the proposed change is a long tangled story that dates back to the mid 80s.
The 34-space west parking lot at 209 N. Larchmont Blvd. is caught up in a deal that is tied to the street’s other public parking lot across the street, adjacent to the former RiteAid—Larchmont Village Plaza, 218 N. Larchmont Blvd.
If the deal is approved, the city would continue to own the farmer’s market lot and lease it to Larchmont Properties, who would essentially act as tenants under a long-term lease.
This would avoid a potential lawsuit and would be the best outcome for the Boulevard, CD13 representatives said.
The City Attorney and Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation (LADOT) are in negotiations with Ron Simms, owner of Larchmont Properties, and have reached a potential agreement to ground lease Lot 694 (the Farmers’ Market Lot) in exchange for completing the option to purchase the other lot, Lot 732 and its 167 spaces, for $1.
That’s right, $1.
It’s part of the deal that goes back to the 1980s, said Heather Duffy Boylston, of the Duffy Co., a PR and marketing firm, which represents the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID).
“As executive director of the BID, my responsibility is to represent property owners and support thoughtful development on Larchmont. But I’ve also lived here for 25 years and have been coming to Larchmont my entire life —so I deeply understand what’s at stake for our community. I’ve been assured by the City that our beloved Farmers Market will always have a home in Larchmont, as well as a space for community gatherings. Ron Simms has also offered the Rite Aid upper parking lot as an option for the Farmers Market.”
When Simms first came to Larchmont, like many others before and after him, he was stricken with the Boulevard’s charm. He bought the RiteAid site (which was a Safeway market at the time) and a large dirt lot next door, where he planned to build retail. (He also owns the building next door, which today incudes a Starbucks, The Shade Store, and Larchmont Beauty Center. The RiteAid site is for lease.)
Back in the 80s, the late Councilman John Ferraro approached Simms. Larchmont needed more parking, he told him, and asked if he would be be willing to build a massive parking structure on some of his dirt lot.
The four-level underground lot with 19 surface spots was built. Simms’ retained the ownership of the lot and the city reaped the ticket revenue.
The agreement called for the city to pay $1 for an Option to Purchase the lot, known as Lot 732. The city never paid and the offer expired in 2011.
In an email to the Chronicle, Simms wrote: “When the City asked me to build the underground parking lot, I did it to help solve Larchmont’s parking challenges. That investment created hundreds of new spaces for the neighborhood, and in turn, the agreement granted me the option on the lot across the street. It was always meant to be a balanced, good-faith deal that supported the communty.”
“I’ve been invested in Larchmont for nearly 40 years, and it remains one of the most distinctive and meaningful places I’ve worked with. Any future plans will be guided by respect for the neighborhood’s character and the small-town charm that defines our village,” Simms added.
No one knows why the city didn’t complete the deal and acquire the underground lot out right, but it now faces a costly lawsuit if an amicable deal with the developer isn’t reached, the CD 13 representatives said.
Meanwhile, the city loaned Simms the money to build the massive lot.
Simms has been a good neighbor in his 40-year relationship with the Boulevard, Duffy added. He has made contributions to pay for its bistro-style street lites and new trash cans and more than $50,000 in sidewalk repairs in front of RiteAid, and most recently, paid the entire price tag to fix the Boulevard’s Clock Tower.
Initial plans for developing the west parking lot include ground-floor retail with parking above, or not, depending on community sentiment.
Other options being considered are tying Larchmont to its neighbor north of Beverly Boulevard, and also adding parking there, city representatives said.
Where to move
Larchmont Farmers Market?
Some considerations on where to move the Larchmont Farmers’ Market include across the street to the 17-space surface space adjacent to the former RiteAid site, and continue it down the east side of the Boulevard, which could be closed to traffic.
As it stands, according to the LADOT, Lot 694’s 34 spaces is expected to garner more than $100,000 gross revenue a year, after recent rate increases. Lot 732 is projected to exceed gross revenues of $400,000 in the new fiscal year under a new rate structure.
“If the City had to go into a legal battle it will add to the growing legal costs of the City and the outcome is extremely uncertain. The deal allows the City to retain more control and access on both sides of the street. Lot 694 (the farmers’ market lot) would still belong as property to the City,” CD13 representatives said.
Residents can send comments to Emma Howard and Ted Walker at: cd13planning@lacity.org and also to Jasmin San Luis, LADOT Acting Commission Executive Assistant at jasmin.sanluis@lacity.org.
Category: News
