City Plan Commission clears plan to convert vacant 40,000‑sq‑ft Park Place building into event and cultural space

The City Plan Commission voted Jan. 26 to approve a fourteenth amendment to the Park Place general plan development to allow an assembly hall and catering service at 11301 Westlake Park Drive, clearing the way for adaptive reuse of a vacant 40,000‑square‑foot building as a community event space.

DCD planning staff said Mayana/Miana Lee (applicant, joining virtually) proposed the use to accommodate large cultural and memorial gatherings—"primarily intended for cultural memorials and gatherings"—and that a full plan of operation accompanies the file. Staff noted the site has approximately 342 parking spaces on adjacent lots, exceeding code requirements for an assembly of the building's size (staff estimated maximum capacity at about 1,200 people). Alderman Taylor spoke in support, likening the proposal to a community center and highlighting its potential to share Hmong cultural events with the district.

Applicant Miana Lee told the commission the building has been vacant about 18 months and that they plan indoor events mainly Friday through Monday, with any outdoor activities ending by 8 p.m. Staff recommended approval; commissioners closed the public hearing and approved the amendment unanimously.