$1 Billion 'Mini-City' Approved At Warner Center

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday unanimously approved a massive development in Woodland Hills expected to cost more than $1 billion.

The development, deemed "Promenade 2035" will replace a closed shopping mall in Warner Center, and feature a new sports arena, two hotels, a 28-story office tower, a supermarket, public plazas, and more than 1,400 new apartments. Project developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has agreed to set aside five percent of housing units for for households earning less than 50 percent of the area median income, which is $77,300 per year. Another five percent of housing will be dedicated to families earning 120 to 150 percent of the area median income, a Blumenfield aide told The Los Angeles Times.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who represents the western San Fernando Valley, said this "mini-city" represents the "future of green planning."

"You can get your culture and entertainment and jobs and work - all in an area for less of a carbon footprint," Blumenfield said at the Wednesday meeting.

Construction is expected to begin within two years.

The project was initially challenged by the Woodland Hills Homeowners Association, but opposition was later dropped. The project is being challenged by former General Electric Senior Vice President Jeff Bornstein, who is arguing that the project does not comply with state environmental laws, and that developers made significant changes to the project without consulting the public.