The Saez brothers, proprietors of a popular nursery at 8817 Washington Boulevard that was an urban wasteland 10 years ago, used the public comment session at the City Council Monday night to plead for help in preventing a premature removal of their business at Washington and National Boulevards by Los Angeles Metro.

Jorge, Carlos and Gerard Saez (left to right) say Metro’s letter demanding they move their Jungle nursery by Jan. 1 makes no sense. Their five-year lease on the MTA right-of-way isn’t up till 2008, they say.   Photo: Morgan Genser for the News

Carlos Saez told the council that The Jungle was originated in a "dilapidated" 55,000 square foot section of the city’s eastside owned by the MTA and turned it into a thriving business serving the greater Los Angeles area. "We turned urban blight into a garden spot with high quality plans from all over the world," Saez said.

No one quarreled with The Jungle’s contributions to the city, and Councilman Steve Rose noted that four other businesses on the east side are also looking for space because of the pending arrival of the Expo Line light rail project at National Boulevard and Wesley Street. "Finding a half acre or an acre of land is very hard," Rose said.

Councilwoman Carol Gross said, "What you’re seeing is our frustration too" because the city can’t tell Metro what to do.

Councilman Alan Corlin said he would take a letter on Thursday (today) to the Joint Powers Authority meeting as Culver City’s representative, asking to try to clear up where The Jungle stands.

Todd Tipton, Redevelopment administrator, told Saez that the agency continues to look for suitable space to move to. Tipton said the current crises for the nursery is based on the fact that Metro leases its right-of-way properties month to month.

On Tuesday, though, Carlos Saez and brothers Jorge and Gerard said they have a five-year lease deal with Metro that doesn’t expire until 2008. "We haven’t been shown one property [by Redevelopment]," Carlos said. "The only council member who ever walked in here was Gary Silbiger, once."

The brothers say they understand the light rail line is inevitable, but they’re wondering where the relocation assistance is.

"We’re confused," Gerard said.

"What’s the rush?" Jorge said.

On a stroll over the acre the company has, Gerard stressed that the company has always appealed to the average homeowner on up to downtown skyscrapers. "Architects, designers, professional landscapers. If you look at our parking lot on Saturdays, you’ll see Mercedes and BMWs packing the place."

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The council on Monday night approved the payment by Playa Vista of $300,000 in mitigation fees to the city to be used for the design of the proposed widening project on Sepulveda Boulevard from Playa Street to Green Valley Circle.

Now dubbed the Sepulveda Boulevard Widening Project, the widening of the southbound lane is considered crucial by Public Works Director Charles Herbertson to easing traffic woes along South Sepulveda on a stretch that includes the Westfield Fox Hills Mall.

The money comes from mitigation involving what once was a plan for a Playa Vista bridge to connect both sides of Lincoln Boulevard.