More Bids for Replacement to Be Sought : Hansen Dam Stables Win Reprieve From Wrecker’s Ball

The City of Los Angeles and federal officials agreed Monday to let the decrepit Hansen Dam Equestrian Center stand while a builder is sought to replace the stables.

If the agreement is made final--and a key city councilman predicted it will be--the stables will not be razed before the city has a commitment from a builder. Two previous calls for bids to replace the aging facility went unanswered.

“We’ve voted on a proposal that’s going to save the stables for the present time and make sure that they won’t be torn down until there’s an adequate replacement,” said Councilman Joel Wachs. “I’m sure the council will approve that.”

The council’s Recreation, Library and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously to let the stables stand while more bids are sought.

The full council is expected to vote within 10 days. A search for a builder should take six months to a year.

Corps Wants Repairs

An official with the Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the property but leases it to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the corps agreed to let the stables stay if the building and grounds are repaired. Wachs said the department agreed to the terms approved by the committee.

Charles Walls, under contract with the city to operate the facility, said he will comply with the agreement and improve the property.

Among other things, he must repair or replace electrical wiring, pasture fencing, restroom doors, bleachers, the announcer’s stand and splintered boards.

“The main thing is that they’re not going to demolish it,” said Walls, who has operated the Circle Cal Stables for 17 years. “They’re going to keep it open.”

City parks officials have sought for several years to replace the run-down facility with a larger, modern one.

In 1985, Walls stopped renting out horses, the stables’ most lucrative endeavor, because he could not get liability insurance coverage. Because of the insurance problem, officials were unable to attract bids in 1985 to erect a new facility.

Razing Protested

After a second request for bids failed late last year, Parks and Recreation officials decided to raze the stables. But nearby residents rallied to save them. More than 500 people assembled last month to urge the action that is now headed for a City Council vote.