Whittier Boulevard
A series of stories about Whittier Boulevard and the four-year-old Specific Plan that seeks its renovation will begin Sunday, well assuming that no major event such as an earthquake forces it be to be held. Like the five-part series that focused on the Uptown Specific Plan, the stories will run on an occasional basis, depending on this reporter's schedule. Sunday's story tries to answer the question of why a four-year-old plan apparently already is obsolete.
Whittier Boulevard is important because much of Whittier's sales tax revenue comes from businesses on this street. It's also a major thoroughfare for traffic.
Other possible stories will look at what happened to the auto dealerships and what should go in their place, successes (renovation of Whittwood Mall?) and failures (all the vacant lots?) Whittier Boulevard, and plans for new homes. The plan is to run these stories over the next few months and provide useful information on this important topic to our readers. At the same time, the city will be hiring a consultant to revise the Specific Plan, an effort that is expected to take nine to 12 months.
We need more stores and restaurants in the East Whittier area. I end up going to La Habra and Brea to do my shopping, and for going out to dinner. What East Whittier is missing: Walmart, Kohls, Sams Club, Costco. In & Out burgers, Quiznos, TGIF, & Applebee's. They need to fill up the empty food court at the new Whittwood Center, and have more movie theaters. What Whittier does not need is more housing. Also clean up the corner of Mulberry & La Mirada Blvd, and Leffingwell and Santa Gertrudes. Those strip malls are a real eye sore. Also Lamber between Mills and Luarel are looking really sad.
From a 30 year resident.
First, thanks for your comment. I'm sorry the story that I was plugging hasn't run. It was held because of breaking news. The story on the Whittier Boulevard plan will run later this week.
I do hear comments like yours a lot. I must point out that corner of Mulberry and La Mirada Boulevard is not in the city of Whittier. It's in unincorporated area of South Whittier. However, I do notice some new buildings going up on the corner The new grocery store seems to look nice. The same point also must go for the Leffingwell/Santa Gertrudes corner. Only the north side there is in Whittier. The south is LA County.
Also I do have some good news for you. Kohls is going to take over the Mervyn's spot in the Whittwood Town Center. I'm not sure when it's opening, but we have received word that the company is hiring. I'm not sure when or if you will see some of your other requests. One problem is finding the right space. For example, I don't think there's a place in Whittier where Costco could fit. I do know they're interested in the former Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility. But that's probably some time away still.
RE: We need more stores and restaurants in the East Whittier area.
If I remember correctly, In-n-Out burger (Snyder family) tried to open on Whittier/Colima. Got shot down by city council? Now another gas station...
99ยข store across from Whittwood. Classy. Who approved that?
Yes, revenue is good, but we have to face facts. The Auto industry is gone as we know it. And the traffic is just not there for East Whittier.
-44 year resident
Regarding the corner of La Mirada Boulevard/Mulberry and the blighted strip center, I'm curious about that parcel, because I think that a candidate for Whittier City Council has the only open business in that center--a State Farm Insurance office.
Mike Delgado did have an office there and I believe his sign is still there. But he has since moved to Slauson Avenue, near Santa Fe Springs Road.