Elliott Drive slated for work

CITY HALL — The 1700 block of Elliott Drive is due for a major makeover under a housing plan approved by the City Council last week that includes the development of eight affordable-housing units through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

The development agreement, while adding to the city’s inventory of 2,600 affordable rental and ownership units, would take care of a long-standing eyesore in the Peyton-Grismer neighborhood, city officials said.

“The four units at 1722 Elliott Drive were overcrowded, littered with junk and debris and illegal dilapidated storage buildings,” said Jennifer Mack, senior redevelopment project manager. “This was visibly one of the most blighted properties in the city that created unsafe and unhealthy conditions for the occupants and the surrounding neighborhood.”

A joint effort of the Redevelopment Agency, Housing Burbank Corporation and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, the project will envelope 1902 Keeler St., 1722 Elliott Drive, 1726-1728 Elliott Drive and 1730 Elliott Drive, all of which were acquired by the housing corporation during the past several years.

“The proposed Keeler/Elliott Homeownership Development would help further the goal of the city and agency to expand homeownership opportunities to lower income families living in our focus neighborhoods,” Mack said.

Under the agreement, construction costs would be shared by Habitat and Redevelopment Agency, which has sunk $2.75 million into existing land and property. For construction, estimated to cost $2.26 million, Habitat would pay $1.18 million, leaving a $1.1-million gap that city officials hope to fill with state grants and financial assistance through the agency.

Total costs to the Redevelopment Agency would not top $1.28 million in direct project costs and $138,516 for construction costs to KSD Group Inc.

The property at 1902 Keeler St. will be the only original structure to be rehabilitated for the project. Four units at 1722 Elliott Drive have already been demolished, leaving a vacant lot for temporary parking, Mack said.

The building along Elliott Drive would include five two-story units ranging in size from 900 to 1,200 square feet depending on whether they are two or three bedrooms. The second building, off of the street, would have two four-bedroom units measuring 1,275 square feet.

All eight units would include a two-car garage and two guest parking spaces.

“It’s going to make a great improvement to the community, but I think the bottom line is it’s going to provide low-income families the pride of homeownership,” Councilman Jess Talamantes said. “That neighborhood is going to be much better for it.”

Under the agreement, the housing corporation would maintain ownership of the land and lease it to Habitat for Humanity for $1 per year. All homes will sell to low and “very low” income households, which for a family of four caps income at $63,450 and $39,650, respectively.

“We’ve been investing a tremendous amount of money into that area, but mostly in rental product,” Councilman Dave Golonski said. “I think you’re going to see a big outpouring of support from the community. Everyone will show up with their hammer.”

 CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO covers City Hall and the courts. He may be reached at (818) 637-3242 or by e-mail at christopher.cadelago@ latimes.com.