Civic center is a beacon for all
The past decade has been a golden age of construction for city halls and libraries in our area. Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village- three cities that were once slated to become a single, Las Virgenes metropolis- have defined strength of character and individual purpose with the public buildings they've chosen to construct.

The placement of three libraries within such a short distance of each other at first had been criticized. But nobody has any doubts today that the building of separate libraries, town halls and government offices was the correct path for the three cities to follow. The community is diverse and each city has used its new civic center to carve a niche.

In 2001, Agoura Hills completed a modern, Craftsmanstyle city hall and library that blended current architectural themes with a touch of the Old West. Westlake Village followed in 2002 by building a government complex of its own that promises to serve the city far into the 21st century. Last weekend, Calabasas broke ground on a stunning, $41million civic center and library that will complete the triple play. On paper, it promises to be the crown jewel of the region.

Positioned next to the popular Commons shopping center, the Calabasas government complex will feature not only a new city hall, but a library, amphitheater and assembly room. The buildings will be linked by strolling paths with gardens and native plants and anchored by an attractive public plaza that will serve as the city's cultural beacon. The 7.7-acre project already has received environmental acclaim.

Paradise wasn't built overnight. Calabasas officials agonized for 10 years how the new civic center should look. Plan changes, bidding delays and financial concerns kept the dream from become a reality. But 18 months from today the project is slated to be finished and, when it is, the city's "destiny" will be fulfilled, as one official stated during last Saturday's groundbreaking ceremony.

Congratulations to Calabasas and all those responsible for bringing the civic center to life.