Before we depart for the weekend, we thought we'd drop the latest update on 9900 Wilshire - Richard Meier's LEED Gold Certified mixed use condo development in Beverly Hills. Tract7260.org reports that yesterday the first scoping session for the project was held by Beverly Hills planning staff and the developers. The main concern about the uberly green project is the amount of traffic expected to flow onto surrounding streets.
The entry of so many more cars onto fast-moving Santa Monica Blvd. seems to represent a significant impact of the project. Further, the cumulative impact of another large construction project using Santa Monica Blvd. and/or Wilshire Blvd. for its haul route is of concern. This project is one of a series of current projects that will provide for the doubling of the residential population in and immediately adjacent to Century City. The other projects are the St. Regis project, JMB, Westfield, 10000 Santa Monica and 9800 Wilshire (Beverly Hilton).
The scoping document (here in PDF) also calls out basic project facts, such as the development will include 252 units in 4 buildings (including two 12 story towers), with an average unit size of 3,300 sq. ft.; and a one-story commercial building with a paltry 15,656 sq. ft of retail and 4,200 sq. ft. for a restaurant. That's like the size of a Denny's right?
· 9900 Wilshire Project Scoping Meeting Held [Tract7260.org]
· 9900 Wilshire Update: Robinson May Shutters [Curbed LA]
· Moderately Priced Handbags Out, Green Condos In [Curbed LA]