Council finds immediate need to expedite Temple Beverly Park acquisition; closes escrow timeline set

The Los Angeles City Council approved a request to make findings that an immediate need arose after the agenda was posted so the city could proceed quickly with the planned acquisition of Temple Beverly Park at 227 North Lake Street near Temple and Alvarado.

A representative for the Department of Recreation and Parks told the council the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners acted on Jan. 5 on the matter and that closing escrow would have to occur by Feb. 1 to complete the purchase. Because of the short turnaround, the department asked the council to find that the need to act arose after agenda posting and that immediate action was required.

Councilmember Goldberg described the item as an opportunity to secure nearly two acres for park use and said the council previously authorized use of park funding for the acquisition. Council approved the procedural findings and the expedited handling on a recorded vote of 14 ayes.

Why it matters: Securing property for park use was presented as time-sensitive because of a required escrow closing date. The council’s action allows staff to proceed under an expedited timeline to preserve the site for park development.

What the council did: The council approved the findings that a need to act arose after posting and approved expedited processing so Recreation and Parks can close escrow by Feb. 1. The clerk recorded 14 ayes.

Next steps: Recreation and Parks will proceed with closing escrow and implementing the previously authorized funding for the park acquisition. Councilmembers requested follow-up information as the acquisition proceeds.