Neighborhood Group to Discuss Mall Traffic

With a Bloomingdale’s department store opening at the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square this fall, there’s bound to be more traffic on surrounding streets, particularly the thoroughfares of Riverside Drive and Hazeltine and Woodman avenues.

To address possible traffic mitigation strategies, City Councilman Mike Feuer will host a neighborhood council meeting tonight where area residents can discuss possible problem areas.

The addition of Bloomingdale’s will add to the Valley’s economic clout, Feuer said. “With new shoppers at the mall, however, there will also be an increase in traffic.”

That’s where the neighborhood council comes in. The meeting, Feuer said, will give neighbors “an opportunity to participate in determining which way the traffic should flow and what traffic mitigation measures will be necessary in the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Mall developers and city transportation department representatives will attend the meeting. As part of the Fashion Square’s expansion--which includes adding 40,000 square feet to the existing 190,000-square-foot Broadway location to make room for Bloomingdale’s--mall developers set aside $100,000 specifically for traffic mitigation efforts, which could include speed bumps or stop signs.

Tonight’s meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Riverside Elementary School, 13061 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks.

For information call Mayer at Feuer’s field office, (818) 756-8083.