Former Hollywood chamber president takes on the public affairs of building Metro Rail.

Former Hollywood chamber president takes on the public affairs of building Metro Rail

After spending 18 months as president of the dicey Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Larry Kaplan is now "getting down to earth."

Kaplan, 38, has been hired for a newly created public affairs post at Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas Inc., the giant engineering and construction management firm that holds Metro Rail subway contracts and scores of other public works pacts.

For Kaplan, a Silver Lake resident, the move represents a U-turn away from politics.

When he came to Los Angeles from the East Coast in the mid-1970s, Kaplan taught part time at USC, worked for his family's automotive specialty business and campaigned on behalf of a local sales tax measure that raised millions for transit programs. Five years later he ended up as chief of staff for L.A. City Councilman Michael Woo, but accepted the top job at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce after City Hall's high stress and long hours took its toll. Last February, though, he was ousted by a board that remains "fractionalized" about its own direction and the ways to rekindle Tinseltown's old glory.

"I was brought to the chamber to fulfill a certain mission and didn't get the support I was promised," Kaplan claimed. "I feel a little like Gorbachev, except I wasn't returned to power."

In joining New York-based Parsons Brinckerhoff, the outspoken Long Island native will administer government relations and community outreach for Parsons Brinckerhoff's Los Angeles office, especially for its lengthy environmental study of the "Orange Line." Pending government approval, that a $4 billion line would expand Metro Rail into eastern Los Angeles and westerly towards Santa Monica near the turn of the century.

"Over the recent years there has been a surprising amount of concern and debate about Metro Rail and its effect on the community - whether it's the actual route, disruption to businesses because of construction or specialized taxes on property owners," Kaplan said. "With the Orange Line, it's important to get people involved early on so they think they own a part of the ultimate decision. That's what this is about."

While not disclosing his new salary, Kaplan did say he was glad to be away from the intrigue of a different kind at the chamber.

"What I'm doing now is like the difference between a Hollywood TV show and a drainage canal," Kaplan said wryly. "The TV show is flashier but we could all live without it."