Greenbelt Called Too Costly

Harbor Gateway residents, who want a former railroad right of way on Normandie Avenue converted to a greenbelt, have been told that the city of Los Angeles cannot afford the project.

A city Recreation and Parks Department official said at a community meeting that it would cost about $4 million to buy the 3.8-acre strip from Southern Pacific Transportation Co. and convert it to a greenbelt area.

Residents want bus-stop benches, trees and a bicycle path on the empty land, which runs between two of the traffic lanes of Normandie Avenue from Torrance Boulevard to 223rd Street.

Al Carmichael, a planning officer in the Recreation and Parks Department, said “there is no possible way we can fund that idea” because agency money for the area totals $55,000. Carmichael told the 150 residents who attended the meeting at Normandale Park that it might be possible to get funding included among state bond issues to be proposed in the Legislature for 1990.

Several weeks ago, residents began a petition drive aimed at Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores and Southern Pacific, which is negotiating to sell the property.

Resident Rochelle Bullock said the Harbor Gateway/Torrance Community Assn. has gathered 700 signatures in favor of the parkland area and can get more.