"Mayor Opens Door to Scaled-Back LAX Plan"

Saturday, June 11, 2004

Hahn Opens Door to Scaled-Back LAX Plan
By Noam N. Levey and Jennifer Oldham
The Los Angeles (CA) Times


With crucial votes on his LAX modernization plan set for Monday, Mayor
James K. Hahn is working toward a compromise that could postpone and
possibly even eliminate the controversial centerpiece of his $9 billion
overhaul.

Hahn said Thursday that he hoped an agreement to defer final approval of
plans to demolish three terminals and build a remote check-in center
could be worked out by the time the airport and planning commissions
vote.

"It can't all be built at once. I recognize that," Hahn acknowledged,
while still expressing confidence that a new terminal complex and
check-in center will be constructed.

Both have drawn widespread opposition from airlines, business groups and
local communities, jeopardizing the whole modernization plan.

The impasse prompted City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski to step forward
with a proposal to phase in implementation of the massive public works
project.

Under Miscikowski's proposal, city leaders would approve the less
controversial parts of the plan now, including a new consolidated rental
car facility, a new transit hub and an elevated tram connecting
terminals and other airport facilities.

Hahn's decision to work with Miscikowski and allow city leaders to
debate the central components of his LAX plan marked a major concession
by the mayor, who for months resisted alterations.

"What we're doing is providing for the City Council to have a continuing
role as different components of this plan are ready to be developed,"
the mayor said. "We're not changing the overall plan or the design."

Though Hahn's blueprint for the world's fifth-busiest airport remains
unchanged, the Miscikowski compromise could require additional studies
on traffic and security issues and could prevent the new Manchester
Square check-in center from being built.

Hahn unveiled his plan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks,
arguing that by consolidating check-in facilities and parking away from
the airline terminals, the city would lessen the risk of a vehicle bomb
attack.

But the proposed central check-in facility has been a lightning rod for
criticism from business groups, airlines and communities around the
airport.

Some city leaders have argued that the plan to tear down three terminals
and the central parking garage and build a costly new terminal complex
and a check-in facility off the San Diego Freeway would do little to
improve security.

"It's just a shame that we've lost 2 1/2 years to have a discussion of
the security needs at the airport," said Councilman Jack Weiss, who has
been a vocal critic of the mayor's plan.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the modernization plan this
fall. With it facing almost certain defeat, Miscikowski put forward her
own compromise this spring that would divide the modernization plan into
two phases.

Approval of the new check-in facility would be in the second phase. The
Rand Corp. is expected to evaluate whether it actually would be more
secure with vehicles rerouted away from the airline terminals.

Hahn said Thursday that representatives from his and Miscikowski's
offices are still completing the details of how the new phased approval
process would work. But he expressed support for allowing more input on
the modernization plan.

"The City Council is interested in having a continued role in the
build-out of the airport, and I'm very supportive of that," the mayor
said.

For her part, Miscikowski praised the mayor's commitment to reaching a
compromise. "Where ideas were rejected, they are now considered. It's a
new day," the councilwoman said. "I give the mayor and his staff across
the board a lot of credit for changing so dramatically."

The phased approval process - included in a planning document known as a
specific plan - has also won support from the Los Angeles Area Chamber
of Commerce, which had advocated a similar approach.

"This is a good step forward," said chamber President George Kieffer.
"It means the council and mayor are entering into a partnership and
they're willing to go forward."

What remains uncertain, however, is whether the 11th-hour compromise
will leave sufficient time for review by airport and planning
commissioners.

After an initial hearing on the airport modernization plan last month,
members of the Planning Commission drew up three pages of questions
about how well Hahn's and Miscikowski's plans would work together.

And other officials, including Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice), have
expressed concerns that the phased implementation plan could still open
the door to a modernization plan that could harm communities around LAX.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************