Triangulating in Burbank

09Apr08

Across from where I sit in the KNBC newsroom, there is a vacant swath of land.  It has been vacant all the 25 years I have worked here.  The land belongs to the Bob Hope estate and over the years, there have been various plans to turn it into … something.

The latest plan that has won approval of the Burbank City Council calls for building a large office building with 110,000 square feet of office space and a lobby dedicated to the memory of Bob Hope. If it is built, it will be Burbank’s third tribute to the legacy of the late, great comedian.  What a shame we haven’t renamed the DeBell Golf Course for him, too.

The part of the plan that really amuses me is the fact the city does not believe adding more office space to this part of the Media District will “significantly” impact traffic in the area.  Have the traffic planners ever dropped by this intersection during rush hour?  I suppose the fact that the new building will not likely be in place prior to 2011 counter-balances the fact the KNBC plans to move away from here right about then.

My biggest disappointment in the new proposed building is there is no mention of a restaurant.  I had my heart set on the possibility of a Soup Plantation or similar dining experience opening across the street.  Right now, the kinds of restaurants that are walking distance in this area are the kind that pleases the managers and the executives, but are beyond the wallets of the common folk.

Still, the plans do call for a pocket park, complete with benches, trees and walkways in the triangle’s tip.  It will also feature a statue of Bob Hope –not in golf gear –but in top hat and tails.  It will be something to contemplate while eating those brown bag lunches. –Yvonne Beltzer

 

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Tags: Bob Hope, Media Center, New Park