Fire Station 82 Update

Councilmen Tom Labonge (cd4) and Eric Garcetti (cd13) decided recently that, after searching for 4 years for the perfect site for the relocation of Fire Station 82, the balance in the Proposition F fund wasn't flush enough to pay the escalated and exaggerated price that the Florentine Gardens owner was charging. This property owner had pushed the price through the roof as had the extended period of time that the City took to acquire the property. The city leaders didn't trust their own appraisal enough to use the eminent domain process in the courtroom environment. Yet a couple of blocks to the west, these same two councilmen decided that the CRA could use that same eminent domain process to acquire some 30 small businesses to benefit a private developer (W Hotels). 

The safety of our growing population in Hollywood wasn't a strong enough incentive to acquire the Florentine Gardens property knowing that there is no other 2-acre parcel that would not require relocating of residents or closure of many businesses. 

Disgusted yet? You should be. Call your state representatives and complain about the inconsistent and inhumane use of eminent domain by your local city representatives.

Fran