Public to Review Martin Cadillac's 'Expo Town Center' Proposal

Project plans for the modernization of Martin Automotive Group, including its integration with the Expo Light Rail, will be available for interested Westside residents on April 3.

It calls for an approximately 800,000-square-foot mixed-use development of the West L.A. car dealership at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Bundy Drive, dubbed the "Martin Expo Town Center."

The Martin family proposes 516 residential units, 67,000 square feet of neighborhood serving retail and 200,000 square feet of creative office space proposed for the 4.76-acre site, and also asks city planning for a plan amendment, a zone change and a parking reduction, among other permit requests and approvals.

Brentwood residents, especially members of the South Brentwood Residents Association (SBRA) and Brentwood Community Council, are concerned the project is too big and impacts traffic.

"Office space is particularly bad because it adds to the traffic that is already commuting into the area in the morning and out at night," SBRA member Lauren Cole told Patch Monday. "At least residential space causes commutes in the opposite direction, although at that intersection I'm not sure that matters."

In the continued push for Expo-line related development along the corridor, like the controversial Casden project at Pico and Sepulveda boulevards (which received planning commission approval in February, according to CurbedLA), the town center seeks to not only include housing options for those working in the office space on the site, but also for individuals working in the surrounding area who may normally drive to work.

"When you look at the history, we consider ourselves not just a car dealer, but a transportation-oriented family," said Dan Martin, third generation owner of Martin Automotive Group. "When my uncle started this dealership in 1950 he was secretary of transportation. We understand now with [the] Expo coming in that we have to support other forms of transportation."

Martin said they've done as much early community outreach as they can about the project, including going to neighborhood councils, community leaders and door to door. He noted they have also put out surveys and hopes residents turn out for the scoping meeting to address what factors should be studied in environmental impact report.

The Martin family also plans to rebuild its Cadillac-Saab-Pontiac-GM showrooms as part of a nationwide push by General Motors to strengthen its brand identity. He said the new facility will be home to a new line of all-electric and other environmentally friendly vehicles of the future, including hybrid and zero-emission vehicles.

The scoping meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 3 at The Olympic Collection, 11301 West Olympic Blvd. All written comments for the project are due to city planning by April 19.

For more information about the project, visit the Martin Automotive Group's blog.

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