At Giroux Glass, Inc., our involvement with projects often starts with estimating projects when general contractors themselves are bidding for the contract. Sometimes it starts when we work with architects on the design itself. Roll it way back, this time, to our involvement on this project preceding those early stages, as it also happens sometimes. With the “Lake on Wilshire,” it started at a public hearing proposal at Los Angeles’ iconic City Hall, on a floor (the 3rd) with such breath-taking design that it looked like a film set. (Much filming has indeed taken place there, starting in the 1950’s, with the “Superman” TV series.)
A few of our estimators were contacted by Lucy Hicks, of BuildGroup. They’re the general contractor with whom we are currently working on a project for their own new Southern California office location. They asked if we would attend a public hearing before a panel of city planning commissioners, with the goal of showing support to ultimately receive project approval.
I personally had no idea that the process worked like this. Representatives for the project were previously granted a maximum of eight minutes, each, to present their case for the project, then the meeting was opened up for the general public to voice their opinions. Anyone who legibly filled out a form with his or her name was allowed one minute at the microphone, and for two minutes if translation was needed. The line went on and on, at times, with the commissioner struggling to read names, and with repeated urging to speak into the mic.
It turns out that many Angelenos hold strong opinions both “pro” and “con” the project, and were eager to express them. A translator remained near the mic, as Spanish was often spoken, and the variety of ethnicities represented were an accurate cross-section of our city itself. There were many opinionated residents of Hispanic, Asian, African American, and Caucasian origin – with the exception of Sri Lankans. We soon learned why the last group appeared over-represented.
The Lake on Wilshire is the long-time vision of Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, someone many Sri Lankans consider to be a Superman in his own right, for his generous contributions to their local community. This project is his way of giving back yet more, having started as a poor immigrant with dreams of medical school, while he lived in McArthur Park. He described his history with the area when he himself spoke briefly, yet many others also praised his history with their community.
Located on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard between Westlake Avenue and Bonnie Brae Street, The Lake on Wilshire promises to transform the existing 1.64-acre site into an environmentally-sensitive, smart-growth development. The project will create 39 LEED-certified housing units for very-low income tenants, as well as transform a medical building into a 220-room hotel. It will include a cultural performing arts center that will also function as a site for arts classes, and we heard about a women’s center as well. Its goal: to become a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and entertainment close to public transit and between downtown Los Angeles and Koreatown.
It sounds to me like a wonderful addition to the city — and one which will include the design highlight of artful and colorful glass that resembles a mosaic. Where there is interesting or challenging glass work on a project, there is Giroux Glass, and yes, we would love to be a part of it.
