PROJECT NAME: Costello Pool and Bathhouse Replacement Project PDF, Appendices PDF

PROJECT ADDRESS: 3141 E. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

COMMUNITY PLAN AREA: Boyle Heights Community Plan

COUNCIL DISTRICT: 14

COMMENT DUE DATE: December 31, 2007

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks will be the Lead Agency and will require the
preparation of an environmental impact report (EIR) for the project identified herein. The Department of Recreation and Parks requests your comments as to the scope and content of the EIR. The project description and potential environmental effects are included below. A copy of the Initial Study prepared for the project is not attached, but is available for review on the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Park’s website at
http://www.laparks.org/environmental/environmental.htm and at the following physical locations:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks proposes the Costello Pool and Bathhouse Replacement Project (project) at the existing pool and bathhouse located at 3141 E. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles. The project would consist of replacing the existing pool and bathhouse complex, as well as the redevelopment of the adjacent basketball area. Improvements to the bathhouse complex include the addition of a staff entry pavilion with reception desk and personal effects storage, outdoor changing stalls, outdoor shower towers, one-meter diving board, outdoor lavatory, and large storage pavilion. In addition, the project proposes major improvements to the entry into the Costello Pool facility and upgrades to the site’s adjacent landscaping. The proposed improvements will conform to the character and
footprint of the existing structures.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED: The City has prepared a Historic
Structures Report and The Lou Costello Jr. Youth Center and Pool appears to be eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register or CRHR) under Criterion 1, “associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage”. Established by Lou Costello, of the stage and film comedy team Abbott and Costello, the center and pool are eligible under Criterion 1 for their association with the Lou Costello Jr. Foundation, and local and national efforts in the late 1940s to the early 1950s to help underprivileged youth in East Los Angeles. Therefore, due the extensive nature of the proposed replacement project and the historic nature of the pool
and bathhouse, Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks has determined that the proposed project will require an in-depth analysis of the potential environmental impacts on the historical character of the building.

In addition to historical resources, other environmental facts potentially affected by the proposed project include Air Quality, Hazards and Hazardous Materials (lead-based paint and asbestos containing materials), Noise (construction), Transportation and Circulation, and other Mandatory Findings of Significance.

RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE OF PREPARATION: The Department of Recreation and Parks
welcomes all comments regarding potential environmental impacts of the project. All comments will be considered in the preparation of the Draft EIR. Written comments must be submitted to the address below by December 31, 2007. Responses via facsimile at 213.928.9180 will be accepted, but must be followed by an original letter mailed to the address below.

Please direct your responses to:

Paul J. Davis, Environmental Specialist
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Environmental Management Section
1200 West 7th Street, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90017