Centinela Remains Open During Construction

Del Rey Business Owners with Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and Del Rey Deputy Nicole Velasquez
Originally uploaded by lacityorgcd11.

On November 30, 2006 Councilman Rosendahl met with business owners from the Centinela/Washington Blvd. area of Del Rey. The meeting included Oscar Haro of Paco's Tacos, George Huang of New Flavors Restaurant, Teresa Cimarrosto of Cinderella Clothing, Catherine Diaz of Mattress For You, Michael Rubino of Rubino Art Gallery, and Elfie Weiss and Katrina Moore of Hotcakesbakes Bakery.

In May 2006, Excel Paving, contractors selected by the City of Los Angeles, began making improvements on Centinela between Washington Blvd. and Culver Blvd. This project was undertaken because this area has few major north-south routes for drivers, so the majority of traffic is funneled onto Centinela. Additional lanes will ease congestion through this major corridor.

The business owners were concerned that the construction was moving slowly and asked our office to intervene. Representatives from Excel Paving and the City's Contract Administration Office were present to hear the business owners' concerns and answer questions.

Some of the merchants claim that business has dropped by as much as 50% since construction switched from the eastside to the westside of Centinela in November. Construction has removed the already limited parking in front of the business and has given customers the impression that the businesses are not open. Parking is available in the alley behind most of the businesses and hours of operation will remain the same during construction.

The contractors expressed concern that they had been unable to get the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to come out and remove a light pole which is impeding their ability to repave much of the street. The Councilman immediately called Ron Deaton, General Manager of DWP to ask for assistance. First thing the next morning, DWP sent a crew out to remove the pole. This should allow construction to complete 3-4 days earlier than expected.

The sidewalks in front of the business will likely be finished by the end of this week. The street will be repaved and striped by Christmas, and all lanes should be open by January. Additional lighting and landscaping will be completed by late February-early March.

When the project is completed, there will be two south and two north-bound lanes with full-time parking on the westside and restricted parking on the eastside to open up an additional lane during peak commute hours. There will be a median, street lights, and left-turn pockets.

Although the community is experiencing temporary inconveniences from the construction, when everything is completed, Del Rey will enjoy some great improvements in traffic flow.


-Nicole Velasquez
Mar Vista/ Del Rey Field Deputy