Lucky Sixty Four Win Boardwalk Lottery


By Pano Douvos

There is a new day dawning on the Boardwalk at 151 Ocean Front Walk and Navy - in North Venice. In the first week of March 64 lucky lottery winners will begin their stay at the newly constructed Southern California Presbyterian Homes building. These affordable housing apartments are HUD sponsored for those 62 and older, the rents computed at one-third of monthly income.


The tenants will be moving in the first week of March. The official opening is three months down the line with a Venice celebration including local dignitaries. Sally Little, Vice-President of SC Homes mentions in passing the many obstacles overcome; but her preference was speaking proudly about the amenities of the new apartments. The lucky tenants will enjoy beach-front living in affordable-housing-scarce Venice.

Before detailing the building’s final touches, a listing here of the special features awaiting tenants in their new digs is impressive. To provide independent living, a community room is featured, as well as a kitchen, laundry, T.V. room and library.

There is a building administrator and assistant; plus a support staff, with programs and activities provided. Also a maintenance supervisor and emergency supervisor are present and a possible future social worker.
Watching the boardwalk and Navy building go from a hole in the ground to a three-story structure including underground parking was a fascinating nearly five-year show that I visited from my place a couple blocks away.

The end results is a much needed Venice success story. We should write or phone them at SC Homes and say as much. My quibble is with the final paint color selection. It is clashing and not suitable for a dignified Venice senior building. Instead of the two colors (including trim) of most apartments the SC Homes building has four uncomplimentary colors. The lower cinderblock portion being an eye-banging mustard yellow! The unlikely color grouping is white trim plus green, beige and the mustard.

Architect-looking types were standing by the building when I passed there recently. One was the designer of the apartments, it turns out. When I gave the color scheme a bad review, it was a big surprise when it developed that we were in total agreement. The bigger shock was when he made a startling offer to re-paint the building and foot the entire cost of the job himself. Win-Win for Venice.

As an artist type, the matter of color is major. So when you write SC Homes praising their new building, express to them your agreement that a good building structure is only complete with a beautiful face turned to the people of Venice.

Write to Jerry Dinigan, Chairman of Southern California Presbyterian Homes, 1111 North Brand Blvd. SU 300, Glendale, Ca. 91202. Phone 818-247-0420. Web page SCPHS.com. A possible message could say that you would like to see Free Venice free of beige, green and mustard yellow...Or please hold the mustard.

Posted: Sat - March 1, 2003 at 05:52 PM          


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