The approved Phase I design would remove about 210 on-street parking spaces on Fountain Avenue, mostly on the north side. A council motion to study a version that kept existing parking failed on October 19, 2026, according to the Beverly Press.
That sets the direction of the project. It says nothing about parking or access at any one building.
This is general information and not legal advice.
What has been decided?
The approved Phase I design remains in place following the failed motion to evaluate a modified project, according to the Beverly Press’s October 21 report.
The October 19, 2026 motion failed 3 to 2. The outlet reports that Phase I had been approved on September 15, 2025, also by a 3 to 2 vote. The October 19 minutes were not yet posted when this guide was written, so the vote result is attributed to the Beverly Press.
The City of West Hollywood staff report for Item F.5 describes what the proposed evaluation would have considered: retaining existing parking and omitting protected bikeways while keeping one travel lane in each direction, a center turn lane, resurfacing, restriping and other street changes.
The item itself directed an evaluation. It did not authorize construction expenditures. For a listing or purchase discussion, distinguish that proposed evaluation from the approved design that stands.
Where would street parking remain?
The approved design removes most on-street parking on the north side, and the Beverly Press reports that after construction curbside parking will be available only on the south side, alongside the bike path.
The staff report puts the removal at about 210 on-street spaces. It also describes a reduction from four travel lanes to two, protected bikeways, updated signs and striping, and crosswalk and other safety improvements.
The staff report gives no building-by-building parking count. You cannot use the corridor total to calculate how many spaces a particular building’s occupants or visitors would have available. Start with the building’s own parking arrangements, then check the street conditions relevant to that address.
What should you check at an individual property?
You should check the property’s off-street parking and its current reliance on curbside spaces before drawing conclusions about the project.
The staff report explains why this matters: many buildings along and near Fountain Avenue predate current parking requirements and have limited or no off-street parking. It says removing about 210 spaces could affect nearby residents, employees and visitors. That is a corridor-level concern, not a finding about every property.
Useful questions for a sale or purchase include:
- What off-street spaces serve the property, and what documents describe those arrangements?
- Which parking statements in the listing can be supported?
- What remains unanswered about driveway access, loading or permit parking?
The staff report does not state whether permit parking, loading zones or driveway access will change. Ask for current project information on those points.
If a sale involves a converted garage or carport, the guide to disclosing unpermitted work in California covers that separate question.
I was helping someone evaluate a home near Fountain Avenue when he asked whether the streetscape project would remove parking he relied on. He liked the proposed safety improvements but wanted to understand the practical effect on daily parking and access. We reviewed what the council had voted on instead of relying on the different versions of the plan he had heard from neighbors.
When is construction expected?
The staff report anticipated Phase I construction beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. The Beverly Press subsequently reported an anticipated start before year-end. No exact start date, completion date or construction duration is stated.
The design plans were complete apart from final consultant edits, with final construction documents anticipated by the end of October. The staff report says design changes would require an updated schedule.
If you’re timing a listing, purchase or property visit, check the latest construction information before making a schedule-dependent commitment.
What do the budget figures tell an owner?
The staff report identifies a $4,609,000 construction allocation for the Fountain Avenue Sidewalk and Bike Lane Project within the City’s California Air Resources Board Sustainable Transportation Equity Project grant. Removing the protected bike lanes could jeopardize that allocation unless CARB approves the change.
The Phase I construction estimate is $2,410,095, excluding corridor resurfacing, which staff was assessing separately.
These are project funding and construction figures. The staff report states no assessment or fee on property owners and says nothing about property values or rents.
How is Phase II different?
Phase II is a potential full reconstruction of Fountain Avenue, with its scope and preparation extending beyond Phase I.
The staff report says it could include utility undergrounding, wider sidewalks, curb ramp upgrades, trees and landscaping, street furniture, lighting, and protected or raised bikeways. Its preliminary construction estimate ranges from $40 million to $50 million, depending on the final scope. Design development and preparation for construction are expected to take several years.
The report also identifies existing pedestrian constraints: narrow sidewalks, uneven pavement, utility poles and other obstructions limit the path of travel in several locations. The Beverly Press reports that Phase II planning will begin later in 2026.
The short version
Fountain Avenue’s approved Phase I design reduces on-street parking by about 210 spaces, and the Beverly Press reports that the proposal to evaluate retaining existing parking failed.
For your property, check documented off-street parking, ask about unresolved access questions and confirm the latest construction schedule. A listing can distinguish existing off-street parking from nearby curbside parking. It should not promise a construction finish date or a value increase. For the broader disclosure process, see the California seller disclosure guide.
Owners of rental buildings in the city can also read the guide to West Hollywood’s property-wide rent reduction rule, a separate rule.
For a starting point on your property’s value, use the home value tool.
Common questions
How much on-street parking would Phase I remove?
The City staff report says the approved Phase I design would remove about 210 on-street spaces, with most parking removal on the north side.
Did the proposal to retain existing parking pass?
No. The Beverly Press reports that the motion failed 3 to 2 on October 19, 2026, leaving the approved Phase I design in place.
When will construction start and finish?
No exact start or completion date is stated; the staff report anticipated a start in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Does the project establish a change in property values or rents?
No. The staff report says nothing about property values or rents. Check the parking and access arrangements of the individual property.
