TOWERING TAB TARNISHING LAUSD JEWEL.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

A performing arts academy billed as the jewel of the Los Angeles Unified School District and backed by downtown power brokers has jumped in price to $87.7 million, about 61 percent over original estimates, the Daily News learned Monday.

With redesign of the school at the former district headquarters by Vienna architect Wolf Prix of Coop Himmelblau, the completion date has been pushed back a year to summer 2006. That has raised new concerns in the downtown area community where overcrowding is severe and the failure to complete the Belmont Learning Center has angered residents.

Originally planned as a traditional school costing about $54 million, the performing arts academy concept was pushed by influential billionaire Eli Broad and others downtown anxious for another architectural design statement in keeping with the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and others.

Superintendent Roy Romer admitted that some estimates were wrong - including the school's size and cost per square foot, resulting in the $15 million discrepancy between the $72 million the board was told the performing arts academy would cost last summer and the new $87.7 million estimates.

Recent adjustments increased costs from $226 per square foot to $256 per square foot - or $11 per square foot over the district average.

``These were honest errors, and we've corrected the errors,'' said Romer, who is making inquiries into how the Facilities Services Division made the mistakes.

The architect's design includes a 150-foot tower intended to soar over the 450 N. Grand Ave. site at a cost of about $5.9 million. But Romer said the tower will be scaled back, and private money sought for it.

``When I saw the plan, I said, 'Great design,' but when I saw the tower I'd have to know the cost, and raise (the money) privately, or modify it.''

Veronica Davey, a director at The Broad Foundation specializing in local projects, said the foundation had not been briefed but that Broad and the foundation continue to be ``very passionate'' about the project.

``Eli and the foundation continue to be very interested in seeing a flagship art school at this site,'' Davey said, adding she anticipates a continued ``strong intellectual and financial partnership.''

She said any large project can expect hiccups and that underserved students in the Belmont area deserve ``more than the status quo.''

``These kids deserve 50 towers.''

Romer said he was ``caught by surprise'' by the year's delay.

After telling the community for a year that the school would be done in 2005 - with banners at the site announcing the date - Romer said he learned construction could not be accelerated because of the design work.

``There will really be a first-rate school there,'' Romer said. ``It will be great for the community.''

School board members, who agreed in August to scuttle the traditional high school in favor of spending $18 million more for a performing arts academy, have not seen the new figures or design.

LAUSD officials said the board, and a bond oversight committee, will be briefed this week. Voter-approved bond funds will pay for the school.

``When you go from ($54 million) to $87 million you're talking a difference of ($33 million), and in most equations that's an elementary school or two somewhere else that's not being built, and that's troubling,'' said board member David Tokofsky.

``Our mission is building seats in neighborhoods, not being in a monument battle with the cathedral of Los Angeles.''

Board member Jose Huizar, who has backed the performing arts school for his district, said he was worried about the year's delay.

``This is a school to serve local kids. The community wants to see seats in this area as soon as possible. There's a tremendous, huge busing program out of this area. The community has waited a long time for seats in this area.''

Richard Alonzo, superintendent of Local District F, said the community will be disappointed.

``This is the second project supposed to be opened in the area, and you know the great frustration over ... the Belmont Learning Center.''

Alonzo, who frequently drives by the banner promising the 2005 opening date, said the design reflects the curriculum. He said the tower could be used for exhibition space, by professionals as well as students.

``The tower is important as some kind of a symbol ... a juxtaposition to the campanile of the cathedral, an icon for the area. The community deserves it; the city deserves it.''

A world-class theater also is envisioned, including a loading dock where sets could be built in back. The facility could be shared with professional venues.

Alonzo defended the academy as a place where students from the neighborhood would get a broad education, including college prep classes. And in the summer when school's out, institutes and other programs could be offered for students districtwide.