L.A. Again Seeks Developer for Hansen Horse Center

After two fruitless attempts, the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners voted Monday to try once more to find a developer to rebuild and operate the dilapidated Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Lake View Terrace.

Since 1985, the city has been attempting to renovate the 18-acre stable area by subleasing the land on a long-term basis to a private concessionaire, who could transform the aging horse arenas and run-down stables into a modern equestrian facility. But each time no one submitted bids, and the city reluctantly renewed the one-year lease of the present operator.

In 1985, potential bidders said a city requirement that the facility offer horse rental services prevented them from running a profitable business because of rising liability insurance costs.

In 1987, the city eliminated that requirement, but several interested parties told city officials that they were reluctant to make long-term investments in the wake of the October stock market crash.

Now, however, the city has sweetened the deal in the hopes of attracting bidders, said Rick Sessinghaus, senior administrative assistant of the San Fernando Valley region.

The city parks department leases the land at 11127 Orcas Ave. from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the Hansen Dam area property. The city then contracts with a concessionaire to operate and maintain the facilities.

In exchange for use of the land, the city will pay for $75,000 in utility improvements at the site, expand the area from 20 to 30 acres and allow the developer to lease the land for 30 rather than 20 years, allowing more time to profit from the cost of building the center. The developer will have to pay the city at least $20,000 a year for the lease.

The city requires the developer to build at least 30 covered stalls, three boarding pastures, two training rings, a snack bar and restrooms. The facility, which the city estimates will cost $500,000, must also provide riding instruction. The added space should provide room for more than 160 horses.

The bid deadline is Sept. 26.

For almost 40 years, the site has been home to a small equestrian center. It offers the only public stables and riding facilities outside of the expensive Los Angeles Equestrian Center. East Valley horse enthusiasts have said the stables fill an important need by providing middle-income people with affordable horse care.

But troubles began in late 1985 when high liability insurance forced operator Charles Walls to stop renting horses to the public. By 1988 the area had fallen into disrepair, and Walls was directed to fix safety hazards such as faulty electrical wiring and rickety bleachers. Walls has been operating on a yearly lease since 1982.