After Almost a Decade of Delays, New Housing Development in La Mirada Breaks Ground
La Mirada~Although the city is basically built-out when it comes to new housing developments, there are still small-scale possibilities, even if they seem to take forever to commence.
After nine long years, and countless delays, construction on The Orchards housing development in La Mirada began earlier this week at the site of the old Alondra Center.
The former outdoor strip mall located at Alondra Boulevard and Escalona Road was demolished in 2008.
Using bulldozers and other heavy equipment, construction workers were clearing debris and performing grading work on the land.
The 3.93 acre Alondra Center site was purchased recently by Irvine-based Brandywine after construction was stalled by a lengthy state environmental remediation process.
“We are very pleased to see construction begin on Brandywine’s new housing development in La Mirada,” says City Manager Tom Robinson. “Having such an experienced private developer invest millions of dollars into building new housing in our community reflects the strength of the housing market in La Mirada.”
It all began in March of 2004 when then City Manager Andrea Travis, at a city council meeting, described the center as “blighted”, and city staff began the–not known at the time-long process of getting the site to be demolished with the intent for the city to purchase it and develop single family homes.
The latter did happen, but the city sold the property back to Brandywine earlier this year, suffering a multi-million dollar loss.
In 2004, it was a controversial decision at the time, with at least one business owner from the center (a second generation family-owned printing business) publicly opposing the decision to demolish the buildings. That business eventually moved to Santa Fe Springs.
But a report from the city’s Community Development Department then indicated the change was necessitated by the condition of the center, along with “poor tenant retention and an increase in vacancies leading to loitering, vandalism and public safety concerns with the overall condition of the center negatively impacted the aesthetics of the City,” it read.
La Mirada Students Place in Top 100 in World’s Largest Student Rocket Contest
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La Mirada High School Rocketry Club: Front Row: Akash Soma, Justin Gocho, Kevin Lim, Emily De Boer; Back Row: Hassaan Shakeel, Ryan Haro, Evan Klansek, Ricardo Jauregui, Zack Hart, James Gallardo, Fernando Tapia |
After months of preparation, La Mirada High School students compete for national title in AIA’s Team America Rocketry Challenge.
The Plains, VA~Eleven students from La Mirada bested more than 625 teams nationally recently to be picked to be one of the 100 hundred schools nationwide to compete in the 2013 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC).
The top 100 finishers advanced to the National Finals recently held on Saturday, May 11 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va.
La Mirada High’s team received a qualifying score that placed them well within the top 100 teams nationwide, and in the finals, they finished 73rd out of the 100 schools.
They were competing for the national title, $60,000 worth of scholarships and prizes and a chance to participate in NASA’s Student Launch Initiative.
TARC is the world’s largest student rocket contest that aims to inspire students to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
For months, these amateur rocketeers worked to design, build and perfect model rockets that can safely carry one raw egg up to an exact altitude of 750 feet up in the air and return to the ground within 48-50 seconds – a mere two-second window before incurring penalties.
All seniors represented La Mirada High in this year’s contest: Kurush Dubash, Hassaan Shakeel, Emily De Boer, Justin Gocho, Evan Klansek, Fernando Tapia, Ryan Haro, Zach Hart, Kevin Lim, Ricardo Jauregui, and Akash Soma.
Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: Purses Stolen From Vehicles Continue to be Hot Targets
The following is the crime report for La Mirada May 20-26, 2013:
Aggravated Assault-An assault stemming from a family disturbance occurred on the 13000 block of McNally Rd. The suspect, who is related to the victim, was taken into custody at the location. A second incident was reported on the 15300 block of Normandy Ln. where the assailant struck the victim with a step ladder. The incident remains under investigation.
Residential Burglary-Various items were stolen from two separate residential burglaries reported on the 15000 block of Leffingwell Rd. An incident was reported on the 14500 block of Plantana Dr. There were no items reported stolen from the home. A burglary occurred on the 14800 block of Gardenhill Dr. There were no items taken from the location.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary to a business was reported on the 14900 block of Imperial Hwy. Cash and electronics were stolen from the location. The incident remains under investigation. A burglary to a gym locker was reported on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. Various items were taken in the incident.
Vehicle Burglary-A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle on the 15500 block of Oakbury Dr. A window smash burglary was reported on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A wallet and two empty purses were taken from the vehicle. A purse was reported stolen in a window smash burglary on the 15800 block of Alicante Rd. A purse containing valuables was reported stolen from a vehicle parked on the 14900 block of Imperial Hwy. The incident remains under investigation.
Neighborhood Watch Meeting Scheduled for Escalona Area
La Mirada~A Neighborhood Watch meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The meeting is for half of Reporting District No. 0472.
The meeting will be held at Escalona Elementary School for residents who reside east of Figueras Rd.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Captain Patrick Maxwell and the La Mirada Public Safety Team will address crime updates and prevention tips.
Public Invited to Annual Memorial Day Observance at Olive Lawn
Boy Scout Troop 438 and Cub Scout Pack 919 to place American flags at cemetery Saturday the 25th
La Mirada~The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148 of La Mirada and its Auxiliary will be presenting their annual Memorial Day observance at Olive Lawn Memorial Park on Memorial Day Monday, May 27th at 11:00 am.
Participants will include La Mirada Mayor Steve DeRuse and local community service organizations.
Also, Boy Scouts of America Troops 438 and 919 along with Cub Scout Pack 919 will participate in the ceremony.
The program will include recogniti
on of La Mirada Blue Star families, Afghanistan war casualties, and roll call remembrance of Post and Auxiliary members that have that have died since last Memorial Day.
A Memorial Day address will be delivered by La Mirada resident Rev. Jim Poersehke, Chaplain U.S. Navy retired.
The program is one hour in length with limited seating, so lawn chairs are encouraged if standing would be an issue.
A reception immediately following will be hosted by the VFW Auxiliary at the Post 9148 home located behind the Pep Boys auto center at Valley View Ave and Rosecrans Ave.
Once there, one can admire the new medal and trophy case built by La Mirada High School senior Michael Covarrubias for his Eagle Scout project. Michael built the case for the veterans to display their decorations of honor.
La Mirada High Students Get Dose of Reality in Filming of DUI Incident Reenactment
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La Mirada~On June 3 and 4, 2013, select students from La Mirada High School will take part in the "Every 15 Minutes" event.
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| Crews film mock crash scene in front of La Mirada High School recently. photo Tony Aiello |
The program, started by the Chico Police Department in 1995, is a two-day event focusing on high school juniors and seniors, challenging them to think about drinking, driving, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions.
It is conducted at high schools throughout the country and is designed to bring awareness to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration statistic that someone dies in an alcohol related auto accident every 15 minutes in the United States.
Held every other year in La Mirada since 2001, around the time of high school prom and graduation, Every 15 Minutes provides students with a realistic look at the destruction of a drunken driving auto accident involving their classmates.
A number of La Mirada High School students were selected as volunteers to play the role of teenagers involved in a fatal auto accident, featuring a simulated car collision, injured victims, and Sheriff, Fire, and ambulance personnel responding to the scene.
Coordinated by the La Mirada Public Safety Team and officials from La Mirada High School, the two-day realistic event will commence with a visit to a local mortuary and a mock memorial service for several students involved in a hypothetical drinking and driving accident. The Every 15 Minutes program will end with a video demonstration of the auto accident at an assembly on campus the following day. "
“The goal of the Every 15 Minutes program is to make certain that students have an understanding of the serious consequences involved when drinking and driving," explains Safety Education Officer Mary Cipres.
Cipres said well over 20 students participated in the filming and other aspects of the program, "Even if it prevents only one student from drinking and driving, the effort is well worth it," she said.
La Mirada Volunteer Center Robbed at Gunpoint
La Mirada~Thieves ran off with some cash, but no one was injured as the La Mirada Volunteer Center was robbed this past Thursday afternoon in broad daylight.
The incident occurred around 3:50 p.m. in the lobby of the center located at 11900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.
There were no clients present and only two employees were on duty when two men entered the building, brandished a handgun and demanded money, sources tell us.
The Volunteer Center handles and processes individuals with court-ordered volunteer requirements.
An undisclosed amount of money was obtained by the thieves.
©2013 La Mirada Blog
Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: Purse Stolen From Vehicle on Santa Gertrudes
The following is the crime report for La Mirada May 6-12, 2013:
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An incident was reported near Alegciras Dr. and Stanton Ave. The incident is under investigation. An assault occurred on the 11900 block of Hartdale Ave. A suspect was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Residential Burglary-Four burglaries were reported last week. An incident was reported on the 16400 block of Murphy Rd. There was no loss from the home. Jewelry and cash were reported stolen from a residence on the 12200 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. A burglary was reported on the 16200 block of Alpine Pl. The rear kitchen window screen was removed to gain entry. An incident was reported on the 15300 block of Normandy Ln. Deputies made arrests in connection with the incident.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary to a business was reported on the 13800 block of Imperial Hwy. A display case was stolen from the location.
Vehicle Burglary-A window smash burglary was reported on the 15200 block of Santa Gertrudes Ave. A purse was taken from the vehicle. A burglary also occurred on the 14800 block of Springford Dr. Various items were stolen from the vehicle.
Take a Self-Guided Tour of Residential Gardens in La Mirada
La Mirada~The Arts Colony of La Mirada is proud to present their 2013 “Art in the Garden Tour,” Sunday May 19th from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The starting point is at the last remaining original olive grove in La Mirada located on the southwestern edge of the Biola University campus.
From there, guests may purchase a ticket for $10 and will receive a map to continue their self-drive tour of residential gardens in La Mirada.
Light refreshments will be served and artwork will be on display and available for purchase at each garden site.
For more information call (562) 941-4116 or (714) 522-8157.
The Arts Colony of La Mirada is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting the visual arts in La Mirada since 1963.
Relay for Life La Mirada at Splash!
La Mirada~The Relay for Life La Mirada will take place Saturday 9:00 a.m. until Sunday 9:00 a.m. at Splash! Regional Aquatics Center in La Mirada.
There will be food trucks, games, entertainment, and tons of fun!
On Saturday at 5 p.m., Polynesian dance group glory of Paradise will perform.
For $5.00, the water slide at Bucaneer Bay will be open from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Children must be with parent to sign waiver.
Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay for Life movement.
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