Applause for Culver City and Inglewood: Clearing the Way for LAX Improvements

by Gary Toebben

In 2013, the Los Angeles City Council approved the Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS), which charted a path for the $14 billion in improvements that are underway today at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The passage of SPAS was a major step forward for LAX and the L.A. regional economy as it laid out plans for projects that would kick-start desperately needed modernization investments by LAWA and the airlines that serve LAX.  The new plan was supported by a broad coalition of community groups headed up by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the LA/Orange County Building & Construction Trades Council.

Objections to the 2013 SPAS plan were voiced by segments of the Westchester neighborhood and the cities of Inglewood and Culver City; and lawsuits were filed. In August of last year, the Chamber applauded a break-through when the L.A. City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Garcetti and Councilman Mike Bonin, unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of L.A., Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC). This MOU with the Westchester based ARSAC was a huge step forward in enabling LAX to proceed with vital projects and an appropriate balance between community concerns, passenger safety and airport efficiency.

Last week, LAX took another major step in implementing the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) when the City of L.A. settled lawsuits with the cities of Inglewood and Culver City. Under the terms of the agreements, Inglewood and Culver City will participate in future development planning and receive funds to implement an “intelligent” transportation system, which utilizes cutting-edge technology to move traffic safely and efficiently through their communities.   

The Chamber applauds Inglewood and Culver City, as well as ARSAC, LAWA and the City of L.A. for their hard work and compromise in settling these disputes. We encourage the City of El Segundo to also reach an agreement with LAWA and the City of L.A. in the near future.      

Anyone who flies in or out of LAX is well aware of the need for major improvements. There is a long road ahead of us in bringing these projects to fruition. Unless we all work together for the future of LAX and the traveling public, we’ll continue to grumble, rather than celebrate, in the years ahead.

And that's The Business Perspective.