Sorted by date Results 26 - 43 of 43
The following is a press release issued by the Culver City Chamber: While the closure of the Culver City Ice Arena has been a polarizing and emotional issue for many in the city, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce supports the on-going efforts of the City to bring all the parties to the table and making the site safe. "At its core, we all recognize that this is a negotiation between two private parties - the property owner and his tenant," said Chamber President and CEO Steven J. Rose. "But we also recognize that the City has an obligation to...
The following is a press release issued by the Culver City Chamber: While the closure of the Culver City Ice Arena has been a polarizing and emotional issue for many in the city, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce supports the on-going efforts of the City to bring all the parties to the table and making the site safe. "At its core, we all recognize that this is a negotiation between two private parties - the property owner and his tenant," said Chamber President and CEO Steven J. Rose. "But we...
The Culver City Police Department stationed a patrol car at the now closed Culver City Ice Arena. According to the Police Department the units are stationed there pending arrangements being made by the property owner and operators of the rink. A police official said that closed commercial buildings are targets for vandals and squatters and with the chemicals inside the building the department did not want to take any chances of an accidental release of chemicals into the comm...
According to reports in both the Los Angeles Times and thefrontpageonline.com, Planet Granite has canceled their lease on the now closed Culver City Ice Arena. The report also asserts the lease can cancelation was mutually agreed upon by Planet Granite and the property owners. The new lessee suffered a triple blow which began with a public storm over the closing of the popular ice rink which had served the community for over 50 years. This was followed by a concern that major environmental...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter For a short time Monday night it looked like the third time might be a charm for the supporters of the Culver City Ice Arena. With the item once again on the agenda as an information item, the "zealots" were out in full force, packing the Council chamber and offering their pleas to the City Council to "do something" to save the 52-year old arena and ice rink. The almost-salvation came during public comment when Shannon Takahashi, a member of the family that...
In an email sent to Renee DeAngelis on January 9 by Planet Granite Owner/Founder Micky Lloyd he called the Culver Ice Arena supporters "zealots." He was congratulating her and comments, "Let's remember we are dealing with the zealots here and there is only so much energy reacting is worth. We probably won't win them over and even if they back off they won't climb." DeAngelis is identified as Director of Operations/Owner on the company's website....
Four City Council candidates spoke about their positions on a number of issues at a candidates' forum held at the Culver City Senior Center on February 5. The candidates included incumbents Jim Clarke and Jeff Cooper, newcomer Christopher Patrick King, and frequent City Council and School Board candidate Gary Abrams. Sharon Hyland-Elstein, new president of the Culver City Senior Center Association, introduced the candidates to an audience of seniors during the lunchtime hour at the Center, and...
At the February 10 Culver City Council meeting, the council made clear that it intends to proceed with the decommissioning of the ice at the Culver Ice Arena as quickly as possible, due the city’s stated liability concerns arising from the safety inspection it ordered by outside experts. Prior to the discovery of the 1962 code variance document limiting the use of the property to an ice rink, the public safety issue enabled the council to take a safe position that did not cast them as the bad g...
Editors Note: this story is updated from last weeks story entitled SMOKING GUN on Culver City Observer's website By Stephen Hadland Observer Publisher Prior to the closing of the Culver City Ice Arena last Sunday Culver City officials had informed the Karagozian family, who are the property owners, and Planet Granite, the new lessee, that the property is zoned strictly for ice skating and no other commercial purposes. Any rezoning will require City Council approval and may take many months to...
The City of Culver City issued the following statement with regards to the closing of the Culver City Ice Arena: The City of Culver City's highest priority is its commitment to ensuring the public's health and safety. There have been a number of rumors circulating recently regarding the Culver City Ice Arena, located at 4545 Sepulveda Blvd., and plans relating to the closure of the business by the current operator. The City would like to address these concerns. The City of Culver City was...
Observer Reporter The Culver City Ice Arena was again the subject of a drawn-out public comment session and discussion at the Council's meeting Monday night, with an overflow crowd packing the Mike Balkman City Council Chamber. The fate of the ice rink and the building housing it is still, however, uncertain. With the rink due to close on February 2 and the compressors that keep the ice frozen due to be turned off as of February 15, to make way for the new tenant Planet Granite, city staff...
Monday night, for the second time, scores of residents and skating enthusiasts came before the Culver City Council to plea for the city to do something to save one of the greatest entertainment venues for young people on the Westside, The Culver Ice Arena. The response of council members, while wringing their hands and lamenting the loss, was largely that of the monkeys on the wall with their hands over either their ears, eyes and mouth….Hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing. Months were moving but nothing of substance was being emitted. It i...
Planet Granite may be facing an uphill battle in its efforts to bring indoor rock climbing to Culver City. Wednesday night, Culver City officials informed the Karagozian family, who are the property owners where the Culver City Ice Arena is located, and Planet Granite, the new lessee that the property is zoned strictly for ice skating and no other commercial purposes. Any rezoning will require City Council approval and may take many months to accomplish. Changes in zoning will also be reviewed...
The following statement was posted by Planet Granite on its website in response to the outpouring of support for the Culver Ice Arena. Planet Granite makes it clear skating is not part of its plans for the future of the property. Readers responded to Planet Granite. You can read the responses at: http://www.planetgranite.com/news/2014/01/20/new-planet-granite-location-in-culver-city-addressing-the-skating-communitys-concerns/ New Planet Granite Location in Culver Addresses skating community's...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The Culver Ice Arena has a big family of fans. On Monday night they packed the City Council Chamber to standing room capacity as they pleaded with the Council to find a way to put a future plan for the arena "on ice" and save the area's only facility for indoor ice skating. The owners of the 52-year old ice arena have announced that the facility will close on February 2, although they are planning to keep the facility's condenser running until February 15....
Numerous people have spoken passionately about the Culver City Ice Arena, and we want to thank everyone who has taken the time to email, write or speak to us. It's clear that this issue is important to the community in Culver City and beyond. Most of the comments have expressed an ardent desire to keep ice-skating in Culver City. We share that desire. Our friends, our neighbors and our own families enjoy the Ice Arena, too. We would like to share some background information, so that the...
By Stephen Hadland Observer Publisher The Iconic Culver Ice Arena is being forced to close its doors after 50 years by the owners who have already leased the property to a new tenant. Currently the property owners are forcing the rink's closure on February 2. Sources have told the Observer that the owners, a three -generation family from Santa Clara County, have leased the facility to Planet Granite, out of Northern California, a recreational company that offers rock climbing, yoga and a...
A coalition of local skaters and community members know as "Save The Ice Rink' have called for a rally at tonight's city council meeting. The details are: WHEN: Monday January 27th 5:00 PM before Culver City Council Meeting WHERE: 9770 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 WHY: The Culver Ice Arena has been a popular community tenant for over 52 years, and now the non-local land owners have decided, as of February 15, 2014, to almost double the rent, and ironically during the Winter Olympic Games...
