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CC - ACTION ITEM: Authorization to Staff to Engage in Negotiations with Private Property Owners to Advance Planning for Potential Construction of an Entrance to the Ballona Creek Bike Path Connecting to Ince Boulevard.
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Meeting Date: August 28, 2023
Contact Person/Dept.: Yanni Demitri/Public Works-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [X] No [ ]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: E-Mail: Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/23/2023)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (08/14/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize staff to engage in negotiations with private property owners along Ballona Creek to provide an access connection between the Ballona Creek Bike Path (Bike Path) and Ince Boulevard to advance planning for potential construction of an entrance to the Bike Path at Ince Boulevard.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Ballona Creek Bike Path currently runs adjacent to Ballona Creek within Culver City from National Boulevard at Syd Kronenthal Park to Sepulveda Boulevard. The Bike Path then continues southwest to the Santa Monica Bay through other jurisdictions.
Ince Boulevard is a short street that starts at Washington Boulevard (northwest) and runs along the border of the Rancho Higuera Neighborhood, ending just past Lucerne Avenue (southeast). The southern side of Ince Boulevard borders the Culver Studios property and provides multiple access points to the Studio facilities and parking lots. The northern terminus of Ince Boulevard provides access to the heart of downtown Culver City. At the other end, approximately 300 feet of private property lies between the southern terminus of Ince Boulevard and Ballona Creek. As a result of this gap, the Bike Path does not directly abut Ince Boulevard.
City staff has received several requests to provide a link between the Bike Path and Ince Boulevard to better facilitate safe access from residential neighborhoods to schools in the area and expand commuter access to companies such as Culver Studios and general access to the downtown area.
Currently, Culver City entrances to the Bike Path include National Boulevard at Syd Kronenthal Park, Higuera Street, Duquesne Avenue, Jackson Avenue, Overland Avenue, and Sepulveda Boulevard. An Ince Boulevard access entrance would fall between the street level entrance at Duquesne Avenue (to the south) and the Higuera Street entrance ramp (to the north).
A public connection between the Bike Path and Ince Boulevard would require acquiring land in fee or obtaining an easement from property owners. There is also a substantial grade differential of approximately 15 to 20 feet between the private property and the Bike Path. An entrance there would require a bridge or ramp, such as the new ramp at Higuera Street. The project cost could be in the millions of dollars and involve retaining walls with foundation, bridge abutments, and extra-long ramps to ensure the allowable slope. Additionally, any activities along or across Ballona Creek will involve negotiations and approvals from the County of Los Angeles and the US Army Corps of Engineers, likely increasing expenses and certainly extending the average timeline for completion of such a project.
It is possible that current or future developers in the area could contribute towards the cost of such improvements as part of their entitlement and/or conditions of approval for a new project. The City would also explore grant opportunities.
This project concept was presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) on July 20, 2023 and was met with unanimous support from all six committee members in attendance. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is a fully protected bikeway providing the safest route through much of Culver City, so the more opportunities for access the better for promoting safe mobility. BPAC has repeatedly emphasized the importance of increasing safe mobility interconnectivity within the city and between Culver City and other jurisdictions.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Following negotiations with owners of the property between the Ince Boulevard terminus and Ballona Creek, staff will return to City Council to present and discuss conceptual designs for the desired connection, as well as a budget and funding plans.
ATTACHMENTS
2023-08-28-ATT-CC-Map-BikePath_Ince_Connection-StfRpt24-193
MOTION
That the City Council:
Authorize staff to engage in negotiations with private property owners along Ballona Creek to provide an access connection between the Ballona Creek Bike Path and Ince Blvd in order to advance planning for potential construction of an entrance to the Bike Path, and then return to Council at a future date to discuss options.