La Cucina needs breath of fresh air

Published: Tuesday, March 2, 1999

Tuesday, March 2, 1999

ASUCLA: Poor ventilation must be improved before restaurant begins serving

By Neal Narahara

Daily Bruin Contributor

By all accounts, the opening of La Cucina has been a difficult process, and there is no end in sight.

La Cucina, which has experienced numerous delays this academic year, has no projected opening date. It was originally scheduled to open at the beginning of fall quarter.

According to UCLA Fire Marshal Gary Dunger, many of the delays are because of La Cucina's own tardiness.

"It's out of control," Dunger said. "Just the plan review process was extraordinary."

According to Dunger, it took months before La Cucina's design team responded to his comments on construction plans. The process normally takes a few weeks.

"Getting them going took forever," he said. After the last fire inspection, it was determined that the ventilation hoods over La Cucina's ranges and ovens were not sufficiently venting the area.

Dunger commented that the most recent inspection revealed that the vents were sufficiently exhausting air out, but were not moving enough air into the area to replace it.

"I thought (La Cucina) was done last week," Dunger said. "The exhaust was perfect, but when I asked them about makeup air, they said it wasn't adequate."

La Cucina officials could not be reached for comment.

This air pressure deficit, resulting from inadequate makeup air, creates a fire hazard. "In the most severe cases, exit doors don't open," Dunger said.

Although the problem is not that severe in the case of La Cucina, the existing vacuum could cause fire and smoke in other parts of Ackerman Union to migrate to the area.

According to association officials, the required changes involve ordering and installing new ducts and a fan from the interior of the building to the exterior.

"(Further construction) should have no impact on other operations," said Terence Hsiao,

Associated Students of UCLA business development director.

La Cucina was originally scheduled to open concurrently with neighboring Rubio's Baja Grill. According to Dunger, there was also a ventilation issue with Rubio's for a short period of time several weeks ago.

Rubio's, which shares its ventilation ducts with La Cucina, was not moving enough air through the system as a result of La Cucina's construction. The problem was soon fixed.

A lack of ventilation could result in the accumulation of volatile grease-laden vapors.

"It was just a little low," Dunger said. "(And) it was for such a short period of time, it was not a significant hazard."

Code compliance problems have caused the opening date to be pushed back twice since then. According to ASUCLA officials, there is no set opening date for the restaurant.

"Basically, they will open the day after the fire marshal approves it," Hsiao said. "There are a few minor punch list items (after the ducts) - for example, lowering the height of one sprinkler head by an inch - but I believe this will be it."

According to Dunger and association officials, it may be weeks before the ductwork is complete for inspection.

As of Monday afternoon, plans for installation of the new vents had not been given to the fire marshal for approval. Without approval, La Cucina cannot continue construction.

Dunger had expected the plans since Friday and was prepared to approve the plans that day if they came in.

"This has been a difficult process," Hsiao said. "But we are continuing to work together to open the restaurant to serve the UCLA community."

"The delay is certainly creating potential service and variety issues on campus, but from a financial perspective the association is not being hurt," ASUCLA Executive Director Patricia Eastman added. "La Cucina's capital investment is a tremendous plus for the university."

In its contract with ASUCLA, La Cucina agreed to renovate the space formerly occupied by the Treehouse, saving the association construction costs.

Since October, the restaurant was projected to contribute $13,000 monthly to ASUCLA's budget during the academic year. None of these revenues have been realized because of its delayed opening.

According to association officials, most of this money is being made up by better than projected sales in the Cooperage.NICOLE MILLER

La Cucina continues to face delays because of insufficient ventilation in the kitchen.

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