At last week's Culver City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved a commitment letter with developer Lowe Enterprises to develop the land directly adjacent to Culver City's Expo Line Station at Washington and National.

Lowe Enterprises paid $23.8 million for the parcel and agreed to develop the land under the guidelines set forth by the city that the property “include a mix of housing, office, retail and restaurant use surrounding a large central open space amenity and connect seamlessly with the new station and the emerging Washington National Transit Oriented Development District with public plazas, outdoor dining and a strong retail edge to encourage pedestrian activity.” According to Lowe's submission, the 5.2 acre property will be one-third open space and hold more than 1,500 parking spaces.

The decision was made quickly in the face of state's elimination of redevelopment agencies -- to avoid the liquidation of the property through the state oversight body. According to a recent article in the Wave, on January 25th, the city issued a request for proposals to eight developers. "The developers were to include both an offer for the land and confirmation of their intent to develop the project under guidelines that have been set forth by the city," said the article. The decision to go with Lowe Enterprises was made just five days later.