FLYAWAY? CRAWL AWAY! EXPANSION LAGS AS RIDERS CLOG LAX SHUTTLE.

Byline: Dominic Berbeo Staff Writer

Use of the Van Nuys FlyAway shuttle to LAX has skyrocketed so high buses often are running standing-room only and the parking lot is full 12 days a month - yet plans for expansion have stalled far behind schedule.

The first phase of an expanded facility was supposed to be completed in fall 2002 but construction hasn't started and the Airport Commission only this month approved a contract for designing a whole new plan, in part because the FlyAway has become so popular.

The 2,020 long-term spaces at the Van Nuys shuttle parking lot on Woodley Avenue were filled an average of seven days a month in 1998. Last year, the average was 12 days a month. Passenger boardings have risen from 717,000 in 1998 to 803,000 in 2000 and are on pace to reach about 950,000 this year.

But the number of shuttles to Los Angeles International Airport cannot be increased until a larger terminal is built, leaving a community angry about what some perceive as neglect of the Valley's needs.

``It's typical of how (the city) treats Valley issues,'' said Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association. ``We always get second consideration. It was a good idea a couple years ago, so let's get it going.''

Former West Valley Councilwoman Laura Chick, who was instrumental in initiating the expansion project before being elected city controller, criticized the delay in construction and rising cost of the project.

``I never saw this as a priority for the airport department, I always had to nudge them along,'' she said. ``They should have started building by now. Is the parking lot (going to be) paved in gold?''

The expansion plan includes a new terminal, additional parking, peak- time shuttles every five minutes, and advance baggage check-in. Residents groups in the area support the project and are concerned about the increasing number of shuttle passengers parking on streets in the neighborhood.

Schultz said the project was moving along quickly early last year, but has slowed to a grinding halt over the past 12 months.

``Parking has been a problem in the neighborhood,'' said Schultz, who also is a member of a citizens airport panel. ``That's not going to be abated until they build additional parking.''

In November 2000, Kim Day, the deputy executive director for project and facilities development with Los Angeles World Airports, announced that construction of the first phase should be done by fall 2002.

Then, an analysis showed growing use of the shuttle would require nearly tripling the parking capacity.

In response, the city planned for a five-story parking structure, which complicated officials' efforts to keep the project close to the originally budgeted $40 million estimate, said airport spokesman Richard French.

``It was stalled for a while when they were trying to re-evaluate things,'' French said. ``It may seem like nothing's been happening, but there has been a lot of work (going on) behind the scenes.''

On Aug. 7, the Board of Airport Commissioners approved a $3 million contract with the firm of Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall to prepare final plans for the terminal project. Last year, the same firm prepared the original concept design.

The estimated cost of the parking structure is $20.4 million, bringing the total project estimate to $46 million.

``The parking structure was the most problematic area of the project,'' French said. ``They didn't expect that it was going to cost so much.''

The city will seek competitive construction bids once the final plans are complete.

The concept design calls for 3,490 long-term parking spaces; a short- term parking lot; new landscaping and street improvements; and a terminal with ticket and baggage check-in windows, concession stands, six bus bays, public restrooms, a waiting area and administrative offices, according to a city report.

Blame for the delay lies with the outgoing mayoral administration of Richard Riordan, said Gerald Silver, president of Homeowners of Encino and a member of the Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council with Schultz.

``This is typical of the Riordan airport commissioners,'' Silver said. ``They're fixated on LAX and they ignore the broader issues like Palmdale and Van Nuys. I hope the new board will take a fresh look at the problem.''

CAPTION(S):

photo, box, map

Photo:

Vehicles pack the parking lot of the Van Nuys FlyAway terminal, where LAX shuttle usage has risen to such a level that the lot is full an average of 12 days out of each month.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

Box:

VAN NUYS FLYAWAY

SOURCE: City of Los Angeles 

Daily News

Map:

VAN NUYS AIRPORT

Complimentary parking and shuttle bus service are available at four remote lots. Parking locations include (1) Main lot is Woodley Golf Course at 6331 Woodley Ave., (2) Monroe High School at 9229 Haskell Ave.; (3) Mulholland Middle School at 17120 Vanowen Street; (4) Birmingham High School at 17000 Haynes St. On-site handicap parking (5) is available at 8050 Balboa Boulevard.