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Developers think gym might curb traffic issues at proposed project
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More from Other NewsIt's an interesting theory: adding a gym to a proposed 361,000-square-foot office project might help relieve traffic pressure during peak travel hours.
It's an untested theory, but one the Westlake Village City Council is interested learning more about as a developer plans to build the office complex on a site where voters refused to allow a Lowe's home improvement store.
"It's conjecture at this point, so we are really trying to see if that benefit is there," the council was told Wednesday night by Stuart Morkun, director of real estate for Opus West Corp.'s Los Angeles office.
Morkun and his team went before the council for what's known as a concept review. The developer lays out the plan, and council members share their thoughts on what's been pitched and make suggestions for improvement. No vote on the project is taken during a concept review.
"The real debate is on the added density," Councilman Mark Rutherford said. "My gut is telling me this idea may work."
The 45,000-square-foot gym isn't formally a part of the development that will sit on 22 acres on Russell Ranch Road. But, when a traffic study is prepared for the project, it will look at how having the facility there might bring office workers in before and after the morning and afternoon rush hours.
When the project's required Environmental Impact Report is drafted it, too, will look adding a gym as an alternative for the project, which currently calls for two four-story, 180,500-square foot buildings that will be shaped like wide "V"s, with a tree-lined promenade between them. There will be retail space in both buildings, which might offer dry-cleaning services, a deli and other services.
Two, 7,500-square foot, stand-alone restaurants are also planned for the project.
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