WHITTIER >> A beautification plan for the Uptown area would replace some or all of the ficus trees on one block and eliminate some parking spaces in an effort to make the area more pedestrian friendly. The plan has four options over how to update the block of Greenleaf Avenue from Philadelphia to Bailey streets. The most expensive plan would cost nearly $800,000 for the city.
They all also call for wider sidewalks, allowing for gathering spaces for shoppers and planter areas.
The plan was developed by Los Angeles-based SWA Group in conjunction with residents and merchants during three meetings held since November 2016. The plan is expected to go to the City Council at its March 14 meeting.
Merchants say they like the ideas.
“The pedestrian traffic will increase with the widening of the sidewalk and creation of more visual things,” said Jerahm Orozco, chief operating officer for Super Mex Restaurant, which plans to open in the Uptown area.
“It will give the sidewalks a feel of a more luxurious area,” said Orozco, who liked the option that would replace all 28 ficus trees on that one block and eliminate 13 parking spaces.
Other options replace fewer ficus trees. Their removal could be controversial.
“I wouldn’t want to see all of the ficus trees taken at once,” said Mary Gorman Sullens, a board member for the Whittier Conservancy.
“It would be a great loss,” Sullens said. “We need the shade. I don’t want to shop in 100 degree weather with no trees.”
However, most merchants want to get rid of the ficus trees, said Olivia Rios, operations manager for the Whittier Uptown Association.
“The comments I get are they’re annoying, dirty and the little droppings that fall make it slippery,” Rios said. “If there were less of them, it would bring more light to the area. They do give a small-town feel, but then it gets too dark.” Rios said she likes the plan and is not concerned by a loss of parking.
“In order to make space, we have to reduce parking,” she said, adding the city has plans to build a parking structure.
Her only complaint is that she wishes it was for the three-block area of Greenleaf between Hadley and Wardman streets.
However, the city has only about $900,000 in redevelopment bond money to spend, said Andrew Watkins, an architect with SWA Group.
By doing one block, you can do everything, including sidewalks, seats, trees and parking, in that area, Watkins said. If it was spread out, less would be done, he added.
Jessie Carrillo, owner of J2 Architects that is located in the Nixon Plaza where the community meetings have been held, said he’s OK with doing one block at first.
“You’ve got to start with small steps, implement something and see how well it does,” Carrillo said. “If it does well, stretch it out further. If not, learn from it and then change it up.”
Carrillo said he likes the proposals.
“It’s going to draw more people,” he predicted. “What we’re missing in Uptown is open seating space where people could dine or hang out for long periods of time.”
The plans will be presented and then reviewed at a special joint meeting of the city’s Design Review Board and Parking and Transportation and Planning commissions at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Uptown Depot, 7333 Greenleaf Ave.
