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Friday, FEB 29, 2008

Downey hires firm to plan studio site
By ARNOLD ADLER, Staff Writer 17.JAN.08
DOWNEY — The City Council has hired a consulting firm to help plan a proposed mixed-use development on the current 80-acre site of the Downey Movie Studios, northeast of Lakewood Boulevard and Clark Avenue.

Moule and Polyzoides, with offices in Pasadena, will provide urban planning and design services in the coming year for a fee of $498,255.

John Perfitt, director of economic development for the city, said the firm is needed as the city negotiates with the Industrial Realty Group, owners of the studio site, which has announced plans to close down the studio operation.

Industrial Realty Group will contribute $180,000 to the cost, Perfitt said. The consultant work is to be completed by early 2009.

The City Council has tentatively approved the city-within-a-city plan Industrial Realty Group has poposed. The management company has operated the movie studio for several years. The firm has proposed a development of homes, offices and commercial clusters together.

The new development, called Tierra Luna, will require a large amount of rezoning, an amendment to the city’s general plan, a number of studies including an environmental impact report, architectural designs, engineering and planning consultant fees and legal fees, said Gilbert A. Livas, deputy city manager for community development, in a written report to the council.

“These land-use approvals and studies will require an inordinate amount of staff time and outside expertise,” Livas wrote in the report last fall.

“Downey staff members believe it is essential that the city of Downey create an amended Downey Landing Specific Plan that not only facilitates the redevelopment of Downey Studios but also employs modern urban planning principles that allow the city to plan for the next 75 to 100 years,” Perfitt said in a written report Jan. 8.

Perfitt said the consultant study will lead to “a new and vibrant community with a new standard for quality of life.”

He said the Moule and Polyzoides firm has helped plan the Playa Vista development in West Los Angeles and Uptown Whittier.

Perfitt said city staff and Industrial Realty Group representatives will work with the consultant to establish the new master development plan and related environmental impact reports mandated by the state.

In other action Jan. 8, the council:

• Approved an agreement with Kabbara Engineering of Orange to draw up plans and engineering studies for rehabilitation of 57 residential streets scattered throughout the city at a cost of up to $123,635. They were selected from among eight bidders, Public Works Director Brian Ragland said.

• Contracted with Interwest Consulting Group, with offices in Long Beach, to provide building inspection services in the coming year for up to $72,800.