CRA CANCELS DEPOT PACT TRAIN STATION MAY BE MOVED.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

The Community Redevelopment Agency canceled a $1.2 million contract Thursday for renovating the historic old North Hollywood train depot, drawing fierce reaction from history buffs who fear the station will now be moved.

Community members, who have long pressed to get the 1896 depot renovated, pledged a fight if the CRA and Metropolitan Transportation Authority try to relocate the station from its historic site.

``Our campaign is just starting. ... We will be lining up all kinds of support,'' said Guy Weddington McCreary, chairman of Committee to Save the Depot.

``Historically speaking, it should not be moved. That's our position. Period.''

But agency officials want to renovate the station in a way that allows it to be moved as North Hollywood experiences a building boom and developers eye the Lankershim Boulevard parcel.

``They both realized that we wanted to be able to have more flexibility in the event we do a joint development in the future,'' said MTA's Kathleen Sanchez about the heads of the two agencies.

CRA's David Riccitiello said his agency is working with MTA's new ideas.

``If you take the position MTA needs to maximize the return on their investment, I think it's prudent to keep their options open.''

The CRA board's decision comes after a year of false starts since the renovation project was first approved in July 2003.

CRA and its contractor, Fast-Track Construction Corp., had differences over access to the site at Lankershim and Chandler boulevards, which had been impeded by construction of the new Orange Line busway.

By the time those issues were resolved this spring, the contractor wanted to increase the contract by $170,200 to cover a year of delays.

Riccitiello said CRA was unable to increase the low-bid contract, and had little choice under state law but to break it off with the contractor.

Now the project is delayed at least 18 months.

``We're disheartened as well,'' he said. ``It's unfortunate that it happened, and we're going to try to expedite this next phase.''

McCreary said the site could lose its chance for national historical standing - and up to $75,000 in grant money - if it's relocated.

``It loses its significance historically,'' he said.

Bruce Spiegel, president of the Universal-North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, said his organization wants the depot renovated but needs more information about any relocation.

The old depot served the Red Car trolleys and Southern Pacific lines in the San Fernando Valley and was the heart of the community.

Plans called for stabilizing the structure, restoring it and renovating restroom facilities. The depot sits at the terminus of the Orange Line, and officials hoped to get work done for the busway's opening next summer. The job was to have taken one year.

MTA awarded CRA an $817,000 grant for the project and CRA contributed $403,000.

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com