The Getty is proposing a new improvement project to develop landscaped surface parking areas, to be known as Oak Parking A and Oak Parking B. This projects continues the Getty's longtime efforts to improve traffic and transportation within the neighborhood around the Getty Center, as well as to prioritize security and safety for our community.
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The project converts a former Caltrans staging area north of Getty Center Drive and adjacent to the I-405 freeway into two landscaped parking areas able to accommodate 220 cars (or 160 cars and 10 buses). The new parking would be used by the Getty Center staff, contractors, visitors, and buses.
The project will provide numerous community benefits, including providing supplementary parking for the Getty Center, alleviating traffic and improving the flow of cars into the Getty Center, reducing the number of bus trips to and from the Getty Center, helping reduce potential wildfire hazards in the Sepulveda Pass, ensuring site security, and beautifying a former construction site with ample landscaping.
Questions and Answers
Why is the Getty proposing parking improvements?
Over many years the Getty has been working to improve traffic and transportation within the neighborhood around the Getty Center, as well as to prioritize security and safety for our community. As the next step in these long-term efforts, the Getty is proposing an improvement project to create landscaped surface parking areas, to be known as Oak Parking A and Oak Parking B.
Where will the project be located?
The improvement project converts a former Caltrans property north of Getty Center Drive and adjacent to the I-405 freeway into landscaped surface parking areas. Caltrans used the 3-acre area as a staging area for the I-405 Freeway Sepulveda Pass Widening Project.
How will the improvements help the community?
The project will provide numerous community benefits, including providing supplementary parking for the Getty Center, alleviating traffic and improving the flow of cars into the Getty Center, reducing the number of bus trips to and from the Getty Center, helping reduce potential wildfire hazards in the Sepulveda Pass, ensuring site security, and beautifying a former construction site with ample landscaping.
How many parking spaces will be added?
The new paved parking will provide spaces for 220 cars, or 160 automobiles and 10 buses.
Who will use the parking areas?
The parking would be used by the Getty Center for staff, contractors, visitors, and bus parking.
Will there be any changes to existing zoning as a result of the project?
No, a zone change would not be required. The improvement project would follow the City’s Public Benefit approval process, which allows ancillary museum facilities like this to be developed.
How long will construction take and when will it start?
Construction is anticipated to take approximately six months and would begin after the city approval process concludes. Expected completion is in 2022, depending on the timing of approvals.
Will the new parking facilities be directly connected to public roads or provide pedestrian access?
No. The parking areas will be located entirely on Getty-owned property, with gated vehicle access from Getty Center Drive. Pedestrian access will not be provided to the parking lots. Shuttle vans will transport visitors, staff, and contractors to and from the Getty Center.
How will visitors who park in the new parking areas get to the Getty Center?
The Getty will operate shuttle vans from a designated transit stop located between the parking areas to provide visitors with direct access to the Getty Center.
How will the improvements help fire safety?
The improvements will reduce the threat of fire. The Getty will install new fire hydrants to protect the Getty Center and the adjacent communities. The road accessing the surface parking areas is 24’ wide and can accommodate fire trucks to protect the Getty and communities adjacent to the Getty from fire danger. Also, the Getty will make the area available to the Los Angeles Fire Department and other emergency responders to be used as a staging area in the event of an emergency.
What are the project’s environmental impacts?
The project will improve a former Caltrans construction site and will not result in significant environmental impacts.
The proposal is being evaluated by the City pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. The project will incorporate environmentally sustainable design features and construction protocols, enabling it to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and conform with the requirements of both the Los Angeles Green Building Code and CALGreen. Importantly, it will include bioswales to capture and divert water runoff, minimizing erosion and improving stormwater drainage.
The project will also continue the Getty’s commitment to fostering a California native landscaping design by incorporating various species of oak and California buckeye.
What safety features are included in the project?
The project includes numerous security features to ensure that visitors remain safe while enjoying the Getty Center’s facilities.
Shuttle vans will transport visitors from the new parking areas directly to the Getty Center. In addition, the parking areas will include perimeter and entry/exit LED lighting, and blue-light emergency stations. It will be regularly patrolled by the Getty Center’s existing security personnel. The Getty’s front gate on Sepulveda will continue to be closed at night to keep the area secure.