By Brett Callwood and Gary Kohatsu
A new parking lot was officially unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning, June 1, in downtown Gardena.
The parking lot at 1112 W. Gardena Blvd., west of Berendo Ave., was the site of the previous Collins Firestone tire shop that burned down almost a decade ago.
Hong Lee, program coordinator for the City of Gardena, told the GVN that the new parking lot is a work in progress.
“[The] public will be able to park in the temporary lot until construction is completed for [a] permanent lot in [the] spring of 2025,” she said
Work to be completed in the next year includes final paving, curbs, gutters, landscapes, lighting, permanent signs and striping. The estimated completion date is spring 2025, Lee said.
There are 49 parking stalls on the lot. Parking is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a two-hour parking limit.
The June 1 ribbon cutting preceded the city of Gardena’s Bring It On the Boulevard community event. Mayor Tasha Cerda performed the ribbon-cutting, with Council members Rodney Tanaka, Paulette Francis and Wanda Love, and department directors present. Mayor Pro Tem Mark Henderson had another engagement.
State Sen. Steven Bradford presented a Certificate of Recognition for both the new parking lot and the Bring It On the Boulevard event during the ceremony. Among other officials participating, included Field Rep Ara An of LA County Superior Holly Mitchell’s office.
Allan Rigg, director of Public Works, said that the city purchased the property, with escrow closing in April 2024. Underground removals were performed and the interim parking lot was finished in May.
“The interim parking lot was constructed as quickly as possible after the close of escrow to get it open during the design process for the final parking lot,” Rigg said. “It is our intent to im- prove the parking lot to a much higher standard as part of the downtown revitalization.”
The property was purchased from a local person whose name was not disclosed, and who owned the land for many years, Rigg said.
“Price was [for the property was] just over $1.6 million,” he said.
Development costs for the lot are “$10,000 for the current layout, mainly done by city staff,” Rigg said. “We will develop a budget for final parking lot as we scope out improvements.”
The former Collins Firestone shop at 1112 W. Gardena Blvd. burned down on Nov. 25, 2015. The blaze was contained before spreading to neighboring buildings, as reported by CBS News. The lot has been vacant since the fire.
For more information regarding the new parking lot, visit cityofgardena.org/events.
