VENICE : Firm Picked for Boardwalk Project to Seek Public Input

The Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners awarded a contract Wednesday to a San Luis Obispo design firm to create a preliminary plan for the $7.3-million renovation of the Venice Boardwalk.

The firm, RRM Design Group, plans to conduct four workshops beginning in March to seek community input on a wide range of contentious issues, such as whether to repave the boardwalk with brick and whether to build special areas for performance artists. A consensus design will then be submitted to the city.

For the past year, two community groups offering separate plans have engaged in a fierce dispute over the use of $10 million in county funds approved by voters in 1992 to improve Venice Beach. Last year, a proposal by Studio of Architecture, a Venice design firm, drew heated opposition from community activists who said it would transform the funky beachfront into a glitzy, upscale pedestrian mall.

The firm, which had been scheduled to hold public workshops on its plan last year, resigned in September, 1993, after proponents of a rival plan alleged a conflict of interest.

About two months ago, a committee of seven Venice residents and three city parks officials was created to choose a new design firm. City officials said an attempt was made to avoid the squabbles of the past.

RRM was chosen “because they had fresh ideas, they were out- of- towners and they weren’t involved in local politics,” said Niki Tennant, a deputy to Councilwoman Ruth Galanter.

“We think we are up to meeting what will be a tremendous challenge and helping the citizens involved with the Venice Boardwalk meet their goals,” said Keith Gurnee, a principal at RRM.

After considering 29 design firms, the committee awarded RRM the $97,000 contract based on its extensive experience in design, engineering, landscaping and architectural work, city officials said.

In recent years, the company has worked on a number of large coastal projects, including the Pismo Beach Pier and Waterfront Restoration Project, and the Morro Bay Waterfront Redevelopment Project.

“They have a lot of beach and coastal- access -type experience and showed a lot of enthusiasm combined with some good ideas,” said Steve Heumann, a committee member and president of the Venice Boardwalk Assn.