When an idea comes into focus that will affect not only a community, but one of the largest cities in the nation, amazing things can happen to establish positive change. Today, an incredible project takes its place in the spotlight, as large and bright as only Hollywood can accomplish. The Friends of Hollywood Central Park (FHCP) has announced today, February 27, 2013, that it has chosen FirstCarbon Solutions to complete the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the building of the Hollywood Central Park (HCP).
The innovative Hollywood Central Park will feature a 44-acre urban park built over a one-mile stretch of the Hollywood Freeway (US 101). The park will cover the freeway at street level, as the US 101 travels below grade through the heart of Hollywood. Innumerable positive benefits will be generated from the park, beginning with the transformation of an area of Los Angeles that is in desperate need of a green touch. It will not only create jobs for residents, but also promote a healthier quality of life.
Friends of Hollywood Central Park, a nonprofit organization, has fostered the HCP project by raising funds to ensure the project’s success. Funding for the EIR includes a $1.2 million donation from the Aileen Getty Foundation as well as a $825,000 contribution from the City of Los Angeles. The process to select the firm that would complete the EIR began in November 2012 and ended on January 10, 2013, with the selection of FirstCarbon Solutions over four other firms, and an announcement at the For Love of Hollywood Gala benefiting the Hollywood Central Park.
As FHCP President Laurie Goldman states, FirstCarbon Solutions was selected not only because of its strong technical qualifications, but also for the firm’s shared passion and understanding of the needs of the Hollywood community. FirstCarbon Solutions will contribute to the goal of making Los Angeles one of the most sustainable cities in the country. Goldman also stated that FHCP is “proud to have the forward-thinking FirstCarbon Solutions as [their] partner to lead the project’s EIR process.” In addition, LA City Council Member Eric Garcetti emphasized that Hollywood Central Park “will be a destination for the local community and shine as a global model of innovation in urban living. It’s wonderful that Friends of the Hollywood Central Park selected FirstCarbon Solutions and are moving us closer to making this vision a reality.”
FirstCarbon Solutions will have a dynamic contribution to the success of the HCP project. FirstCarbon will prepare the required Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation on behalf of FHCP. As part of the EIR and other necessary studies, the FirstCarbon Solutions team will provide a whole host of technical analyses in conformance with CEQA and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. These include community impact assessments, traffic/circulation studies, noise and vibration studies, air quality assessments, as well as conducting geotechnical and hazards/hazardous materials investigations.
“Consistent with our founding principle that sustainability matters, FirstCarbon Solutions is thrilled to help implement the vision Edward V. Hunt had over 28 years ago – that Hollywood needed a park to bring neighborhoods together but didn’t have the adequate space. Reclaiming the airspace above the Hollywood Freeway trench for use as an urban park is an innovative and efficient alternative to purchasing land,” said Robert A. Francisco, President, FirstCarbon Solutions.
FirstCarbon’s tie and dedication to the city of Los Angeles and its expanding client base in the region is proven further through its recent opening of it’s Los Angeles office at 11601 Wilshire Boulevard. The environmental sustainability solutions firm has provided environmental support for many L.A.-based agencies, including The L.A. Department of Water and Power, the L.A. World Airports and the L.A. Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, FirstCarbon Solutions was recently selected as an On-Call Consultant Member for the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering.
FirstCarbon is excited to be a part of such an innovative project and is looking forward to contributing our expertise. If you would like to learn more about EIR’s or FirstCarbon’s participation in the Hollywood Central Park project, please click the link below.
