Sorry we jumped the gun in our last newsletter announcing the great news that the City is moving ahead with this project. Unfortunately, there is a new stumbling block, literally. It seems there is a very large drainage pipe buried at the base of the hill possibly just below the area where the retaining walls are to be reinforced and new beams are to be placed. The exact placement of the pipe is not known but its precise location must be established because it presents a potential for interference and major damage can result if the pipe is punctured. The City of Los Angeles owns the pipe and had been attempting to pinpoint its precise location. However, thus far, they have been unable to do so. The Culver City Engineering Department has redesigned the project to span over the pipe. Once the pipe’s position is found during construction, a field change, if necessary, will be made to the design and repair will proceed. This has, as have many other complications, caused considerable delays. Currently, the initial design is being completed and will be presented to the City Council no later than the May 29, 2007 City Council Meeting for plan and spec approval. It will then be put out for bid, a contractor selected and then the repair can commence. An exact timetable has not been established but we’re told the project will be completed this year.
Another setback regarding this repair has been caused by the significant delay due to the lawsuits, which have now been settled. Unfortunately the extension of time requested of FEMA was denied. This means they will not disburse any more funds for this project. They stated that this is no longer an emergency issue and therefore no longer eligible for funding. The City has hired a consultant, a former O.E.S. employee very experienced in these matters, who is developing an appeal package to be presented to FEMA. This letdown will not stop the process as the City has committed to finance the project out of the City’s General Fund.
We will bring you up to date of any new developments of this very critical project at our April 11 General Meeting.
Culver Crest Neighborhood Association 