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Park Del Amo Not So Bad Compared to Surroundings

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I read with interest opinions regarding the Park Del Amo development (Times, Feb. 12). It truly appears that the concern for the Madrona Marsh distracted city officials from the density issue.

As a new resident of Torrance who moved from Orange County to be near my job, I can tell you that while the project is far too dense, it is hardly ugly when compared to the rest of Torrance. My short drive to work takes me past the picturesque Mobil refinery, countless post-war cracker-box tract houses, a seedy-looking trailer park, bland office parks, oil wells, mini-malls--an architectural smorgasbord compared to other communities I have known.

The industrial facility right outside Summerwind’s front gates is an eyesore and the city-owned warehouses next to Wilson Park are a disgrace. What about the abandoned, burned-out building across from Fire Department headquarters? Torrance is convenient, well-run, prosperous and I’m happy to call it home. But beautiful it’s not.

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I purchased in Park Del Amo because the alternative was an overpriced 1,000-square-foot 45-year-old tract house with one bathroom and half a garage. Though dense and architecturally indistinct, Park Del Amo provides up-to-date housing with a manicured, unified appearance. Some of the adjacent property should look so good.

I’m sure that longtime residents who purchased spacious Hollywood Riviera homes for five figures miss the sight of farmers tilling these fields. I would, too. But the remaining marsh can hardly be described as an “oasis” with its trash, rusty fence, drainage sump and ugly cinder-block building. I can hardly believe all the fuss. Too bad city officials didn’t see this coming. They could have made something really nice out of all this.

MIKE MICHELS

Torrance

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