LAPD Chief Michel Moore and 1925 North Marianna Avenue (Credit: Google Maps)
Camfield Partners wants to build a large new warehouse and office in El Sereno for storing evidence and equipment for the Los Angeles Police Department.
The Laguna Hills-based firm filed plans with the city for the 80,000-square-foot warehouse earlier this month. It would be built on a vacant 6.8-acre lot at 1925 N. Marianna Avenue.
Camfield, a small firm led by Ken Jackson, purchased the lot in 2015 for $6.5 million. The City Council approved a $28 million purchase and sale agreement with Camfield to develop the warehouse. The City of L.A. will purchase the building upon completion.
The building will be a warehouse for the LAPD’s Commercial Auto Theft Section and Property Division, which handles evidence. The LAPD will use it to store surveillance equipment and bait cars. There will be office space for around two dozen staff, as well as rooftop parking.
The Commercial Auto Theft Section was based in Downtown L.A. until 2011 when its building was demolished. It’s currently sharing space in the San Fernando Valley with the LAPD Bomb Squad.
The El Sereno lot, which is located near interstates 10 and 710, would provide a more accessible location. The auto theft division’s Valley location has been problematic because a lack of close access to freeways, according to a city staff report.