Culver City Bought An Old Gun Store. Now What Should It Do With It?

CULVER CITY, CA — Last year, the city bought a landmark former gun store on Washington Boulevard as part of an effort to reimagine another use for the property. Now, officials are asking residents to sound off on how the land should be used.

The city paid $6.5 million for the former Martin B. Retting gun store. Built in 1953, the long-running store was grandfathered in after a 2005 city ban on new gun shops from opening within 1,000 feet of a school. The building is located about 800 feet from La Ballona Elementary, according to officials.

The council voted unanimously last September to purchase the property after hearing from dozens of residents, many of whom wanted to see Culver City buy the property to prevent it from continuing being a place to buy guns in favor of one that provided some kind of community benefit.

Now the city is asking residents to submit their ideas for the property's future. Among the top ideas: a residential development, commercial center, park and community-focused development.

The 4,660-square-foot, single-story building sits on 0.28 acres of land at 11029 Washington Blvd., just north of Washington Place.

Following the sale's closure, the city painted the building with a mural and fenced off its parking lot.

To learn more about the building and submit feedback, visit the city's website. Officials will collect residents' input until Nov. 30.