CIM has decided not to pursue efforts to begin earthquake retrofitting to the former Farmers Insurance headquarters at Wilshire and Rimpau as a first step in building 87 housing units on the two-block parcel.
Last month the Buzz reported that CIM cited compliance with the city’s earthquake retrofit ordinance as as its primary reason for wanting to begin working on their project before the environmental review process was completed. A number of residents in Brookside felt the earthquake retrofit was an excuse to get a head start on the project since the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is not likely to be completed for another year.
“Our neighborhood group met with CD4 staff last week and they too confirmed that CIM has decided not push for an early start to the retrofitting,” said Jan Wieringa, a Brookside homeowner.  Wieringa and others have been vocal in their opposition to allowing CIM to circumvent the planning process by starting any work on the building before the EIR is completed.
Brookside residents appeared at the GWNC Land Use Committee last week urging the committee not to support the earthquake retrofit request either. Ultimately, after hearing that CIM had backed off the request, the committee decided not to take any action.
I think the leaders and the Brookside neighbors have it all wrong….I hope they will not compound that by closing their ears.
I would suggest that CIM got just what they really want….They sell a plan to the city…get approval…then go to do the earthquake retro-fit…and claim that it is un-economic to retrofit the building…and then seek to demolish the building as it makes no sense to fix it. They then have accepted plans…and we don’t get to save the building…we gave away our leverage…which we only have if the retro-fit is a condition precedent to getting plans approved. I don’t trust these guys…just wait and see. Get the building retrofit done before endorsing the new construction plans.