San Fernando Valley : Banquet Hall Urged for King Beating Site

On the gritty patch of dirt in Lake View Terrace where Rodney G. King was beaten by police four years ago, Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon wants to build a high-tech library and community banquet hall staffed by gourmet chefs.

The site, to be named Peace Gardens, would also include landscaped gardens, a patio and an outdoor stage.

The proposal drew immediate criticism from parks officials, who said it would interfere with other plans, and public employee union leaders, who called it a preposterous white elephant in an era when cash-strapped city and county governments are laying off workers by the hundreds.

Parks officials said the proposed location would create traffic problems for people traveling to the lakes that they plan to build at the neighboring Hansen Dam Recreation Area.

“That area will be a major parking and exit area for the lakes,” said Jim Andervich, assistant general manager of the parks department.

But Alarcon and his chief of staff said they are “very serious” about the plan for the wedge of land dubbed “Rodney King Corner.”

Alarcon said he wants to lease the banquet facility for parties, receptions and conferences, turning it into a source of revenue for the city.

He will chair a hearing on the proposal at 2:30 p.m. today at the Van Nuys Women’s Club.