On the agenda for the April 14, 2025 City Council meeting was an opportunity for public input on the next iteration for 11029 Washington. With it’s past life as a gun store, and it’s current incarnation as a public art display, the staff report included some information from a survey that showed a broad range of ideas.
“With the current fiscal emergency… we considered selling the property … but the idea of potential revenue from mixed use [housing and business] or retail caught my attention.” Vice Mayor Freddy Puza echoed the thoughts of many with the need to create an income generator. Selling the place would create just one payment; keeping it for the city and and using it or leasing it as a business could create an ongoing revenue stream. Using it as affordable housing would also bring in long-term income.
Tilden Terrace, another very successful affordable housing project created by the city in 2013 is on the other side of the street.
People who came to advocate to the council included Alicia Ide of the Culver Arts Foundation, offering that the location would be well suited to an art studio and city-owned gallery, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commissioner Crystal Alexander, who noted the need for more space for PRCS programming.
Among the survey respondents, ideas ran the full spectrum including Community Gardens, a Daycare Center, a Theater, Senior Housing or an extension of Tellefson Park.
The need for affordable housing was reinforced by other council members, including Bryan “Bubba” Fish and Yasmine Imani-McMorrin. “I’m in favor of supporting housing at this site.” Current zoning would allow the parcel to be developed as 35 units.
Direction to city staff was to research the options for mixed use. If the city were to create a mixed use development, as they did with Tilden Terrace, it would create a neighborhood of street level retail with second story residences, with a park and an elementary school within walking distance.
Mayor Dan O’Brien gave direction, requesting that the city prepare a Request for Proposals, “focused on housing…retail and community space. If we can get a density bonus, so much the better.”
Judith Martin-Straw
Graphic – Mosaic by Culver City Artist Laureate Katy Kranz