(Left to right) Walter and Alessandra Lopes, Mayor Karen Bass and Cory Singer of Dolan Design Build were on Earlham to start construction on a residence.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference today, April 9, at 15265 De Pauw to alert Angelinos that residential rebuilding in Pacific Palisades had begun.
The three-year-old home, owned by Walter and Alessandra Lopes, had burned during the January 7 Palisades Fire. The couple called it their dream home.
After having their property cleared during debris removal, they were one of the first families to have permits to begin construction.
“We’re doing this for our family, my wife and kids and also our community,” Walter said. “This is our new beginning.”
It is hoped the home will be completed in 10 months. Alessandra was asked how she would feel when they moved back in, since they would be living among new homes being built around them. “Construction is a positive thing,” she said.
Cory Singer, of Dolan Design Build, had built their initial home and was onsite, ready to start on the rebuild. He said that the city had asked for $9,000 in building fees and he negotiated with the City, saying that was not fair because this was a new home that had just been built. The City lowered the permit fees to $6,000.
“That still felt high,” Singer said and was asked if the city was looking at waiving that fee. “That would be great,” he said.
Bass chimed in and said “Agreed. It’s not like they chose to remodel; this was an act of God.”
“They shouldn’t have to pay the full amount, especially since they just paid for it three years ago,” Bass said and added that “these bureaucratic hurdles take a bit and that you just can’t wave a magic wand. You have to go through the process and that’s where were are now.”
The parents of two sons, who attend Crossroads, the Lopes had lived in the Marquez Knolls area for about 10 years before moving to the Via de las Olaz bluffs to be closer to the Palisades Recreation Center.
Alessandra is a pilates instructor, and her husband a consultant for small companies. They both love their neighbors, who are older, but worry if those residents will be able to rebuild.
Like many seniors, the neighbors no longer have an income to help carry the burden of a rebuild. “I wish people like my neighbor could have a different route,” she said.
Good positive story. Important.