Though West Hollywood city staff members are nearly finished with the design of Phase 1 of the Plummer Park Master Plan project, residents are calling for revisions to lessen the impact the renovations will have on park patrons.

Parker Howell (left), Teddy Saunders and Caed Howell practice fire dancing at Plummer Park, and are among those who believe the park does not need dramatic changes. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

The West Hollywood City Council approved the first phase of the project several years ago, and Tuesday night, the city held a meeting with interested residents to gather their input. Approximately 150 people attended.

Cathy Blaivas lives on Vista Street, which borders Plummer Park, and said a group of residents began to organize this summer, when they became more abreast of the project and its ramifications. She had heard that the park would close for two years — mostly due to the installation of subterranean parking — while the renovations were completed. The parking structure is planned to add 33,000 additional square feet of parking.

“That’s a major bone of contention,” Blaivas said before Tuesday’s meeting.

City staff members, however, have said that portions of the park will be closed in phases. Helen Collins, senior administrative analyst for the department of human services, said contractors will likely begin constructing the subterranean parking lot first, with some aspects of the park — such as Fiesta Hall — receiving a lot of attention.

“Fiesta Hall is a major component,” Collins said.

According to city documents, the plan also includes:

• The renovation and expansion of Fiesta Hall into a multi-purpose performance venue with theater-style seating.

• Improvement and expansion of parkland and green space.

• Additional parking.

• Construction of an “autocourt” for vehicle drop-off at the Vista entrance to Fiesta Hall.

• An interactive water feature, a formal garden area, a central park promenade and a Tiny Tot Program building.

• New playground equipment.

• The relocation of the existing basketball court.

Contractors will also have the opportunity to create a 99-seat “black box” for cultural performances at Fiesta Hall, which will receive new lighting and sound systems, furnishings and improvements to its entrance.

Blaivas said the group is also concerned with the trees that will be uprooted, six of which are more than 100 years old. She said the city will not be able re-plant the trees because of their age.

“It can’t be done,” Blaivas said.

She said the façade to Fiesta Hall will be “ultra-modern”, which will likely conflict with the Spanish Revival architecture of the buildings in the area. Blaivas said many of the structures have been marked historical.

“The surrounding neighborhoods, the buildings, the history was not taken into account at all,” she said.

Blaivas said the city had done all of the community outreach required by law, but she found that many residents who utilize the park were unaware of the project. Collins said the city publicized the meetings regarding Plummer Park, sent out direct mailings and hung banners and flyers.

“I don’t deny that [the group is late for the party],” Blaivas said. “I didn’t know. There was a lot we didn’t know.”

West Hollywood resident Teddy Saunders was honing his fire dancing skills at Plummer Park with some friends this week. He said he hadn’t heard of the renovations, and was surprised that the council would want to alter it.

“It’s already basically a perfect park,” Saunders said, adding that Plummer Park is clean, relatively safe and well-used. He said parking was seemingly sufficient around the facilities.

The council, though, is trying to improve upon the park’s already well-frequented perks. The project is part of the city’s $125 million 25th Anniversary Capital Project, which will primarily be funded through reserve set aside from West Hollywood’s general fund and parking fund. The council has also issued bonds and sought other government funding, including Los Angeles County Park Funds. A fundraising campaign also raised $10 million in private money. According to city documents, the plan will create no new taxes.

Mayor Pro Tempore Jeffrey Prang said the city is nearly completed with the project’s legwork. However, he said the council is interested in resident input that may refine the renovations at Plummer Park.

“We’re about as far along as you can get without breaking ground,” Prang said. “It is important, at this point, that we pause for a second to see if there’s something we’ve missed or something we can improve upon before it’s officially carved in stone. We’re just hoping to listen and do whatever we can do to ensure the people feel the process has been fair and open.”

He said the project will close aspects of the park, but it will not be completely closed for two years.

“Construction projects are by definition an inconvenience,” Prang said, adding that there have been several supporters and opponents to the plan. He said the council’s most recent approval of Phase 1 occurred within the last 12 months.

Blaivas said the group of concerned residents simply wants to add its opinion to the project, which could make Plummer Park an even greater place.

“It really could be charming,” she said, “and I’m not alone in that thought.”