Changes Underway at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

A renovation project is underway at American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 on West La Cruz Drive. The project kicked off on Tuesday, March 15.

The project features facade improvements, a 78-square-foot lobby expansion, a new flag pole, two wall signs and two window decals. The concrete sidewalk will be replaced to match the surrounding sidewalk, and LED lighting will illuminate the interior for energy efficiency. There will also be a mural at the inside entry to the parking lot that will “reiterate the American Legion’s brand and culture.”

The Pacific Palisades Design Review Board voted unanimously to approve the changes to the American Legion during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 13.

“It’s very powerful in its design, I think it’s a really nice job, and we are very grateful for projects [that] are submitted so coherently and with great consideration,” DRB Chair Donna Vaccarino said about the project.

“The Post owns this building and sees this endeavor as an investment in their Veteran community as well as an investment in the Pacific Palisades community,” according to the project narrative. “This change will enhance the look of the building as well as differentiate the American Legion building from the adjacent post office building that regularly gets confused by people trying to go to the post office.”

Adjutant Kevin Niles said one major renovation is going to be the addition of an ADA compliant ramp in the front.

“Currently we have six steps to get us off of the main level and we do have [a handicapped accessible entrance] but you have to go through the back,” Niles said to the Palisadian-Post. “We’re trying to make it more accessible to some of our senior members … Sometimes we host lunches for veterans and some of them come in wheelchairs. It makes it much more inviting that they can utilize the facility better, it’s all about upgrading the facility to accommodate all of our members.”

Niles said the building was built in 1965 and the last major renovations happened in 2001 when the kitchen and bar were redone.

Project Manager Ben Wiser said the project is slated to be completed at the end of August.

“I think it’s going to be a great project … Everybody enjoys being at the Post and it’s a good place to gather and the location is so central,” Nancy Niles added. “It’s always been a part of the Palisades so improving it is good for everybody in the community.”