Los Angeles Declares Six Valley Plaza Buildings Public Nuisances for Demolition

Los Angeles city officials unanimously declared six dilapidated buildings at North Hollywood's Valley Plaza a public nuisance, enabling the city to demolish the structures and charge the property owner, The Charles Company, for the costs. Once the largest shopping center on the West Coast in the 1950s, Valley Plaza has deteriorated significantly, with the abandoned buildings becoming hubs for fires, squatting, and criminal activity, straining police and fire department resources. Councilman Adrin Nazarian condemned the property owners for neglecting the site, criticizing them for prioritizing profit over community welfare, while the owners argued that homeless encampments nearby contributed to the ongoing problems and claimed to have invested over $1 million in maintenance and security. The city recently cleared a large homeless encampment on the property, offering housing assistance to those displaced, though some declined. The decision reflects long-standing frustration from residents and officials over the site’s negative impact on local commerce, safety, and quality of life. Demolition marks a critical step toward addressing the blight and revitalizing the neighborhood.