Will traffic stall sweeping development plans for Universal City?The master plan unveiled last week for Universal City includes proposals for 2,900 apartments, lofts and condominiums, additional office space and an upgrade of its studio and entertainment facilities. But a simple issue could well undo much of the $3 billion proposal: traffic--and lots of it. The massive plan, intended to guide development for the next 25 years, has community members, real estate players and even city officials concerned that NBC Universal NBC Universal is a media and entertainment company formed in May 2004 by the combination of General Electric's NBC with Vivendi Universal Entertainment (part of the French Media Group, Vivendi SA). GE owns 80% of NBC Universal with the remaining 20% owned by Vivendi SA. may be proposing too much for an area already congested con·gest·ed adj. Affected with or characterized by congestion. congested ENT adjective Referring to a boggy blood-filled tissue. See Nasal congestion. . "It will have to be dialed down," said Larry Kosmont, president of Kosmont Cos., a real estate and economic development firm based in Encino. "It is a certainty that that plan is too dense to start with. The residential component in particular, I think it's too much." The massive plan, announced by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. and Universal Studios President Ron Meyer Ron Meyer (born February 17, 1941) is a former college and professional football coach. He is best known for being the head coach of the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Meyer's head coaching career began at UNLV, where he coached from 1971 to 1975. at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, would place the homes on 124 acres of undeveloped hillside behind the studios' backlot backlot Noun an area outside a film or television studio used for outdoor filming . The proposal also involves constructing at least 650,000 square feet of office buildings and new studio space near the Universal City Metropolitan Transportation Authority station. Other projects would refresh the Universal Studios theme park and City Walk, including the construction of a 3,000-seat theater. NBC Universal officials contend they have included transportation improvements that will lessen the effect of the additional traffic, including an internal shuttle system and a proposal to build new streets and freeway access. However, local homeowners are doubting that the impact can be lessened enough to make the entire development acceptable. Anastasia Mann, president of the Hollywood Hills The Hollywood Hills, an unofficial designation of part of the City of Los Angeles, California, are part of the eastern section of the low transverse range of the Santa Monica Mountains, which extends from the Los Feliz District and Hollywood, on the south side of the Valley, to West Neighborhood Council, said that her group has already met with NBC Universal to discuss the master plan, adding that traffic is the group's main issue with the development. "There is going to be a lot of concern," said Mann, who added traffic in the area is already bad. "Two cars per resident, you multiply it out and it's scary." In the past, the homeowners groups have rallied together to stop an expansion of the theme park. Indeed, one real estate industry expert who didn't want to be identified said that "there are plenty of rich, retired lawyers who live near there and will fight this until they die." NBC Universal officials have indicated a willingness to talk to area homeowners and other stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. to make modifications, but a spokesperson for NBC Universal contended the project would work as planned. "From our preliminary assessment this is the right choice for the topography, from a traffic standpoint and from an urban infill in·fill n. 1. The use of vacant land and property within a built-up area for further construction or development, especially as part of a neighborhood preservation or limited growth program. 2. standpoint," said the spokesperson, who declined to be identified. BY DANIEL MILLER People called Daniel Miller include:
Staff Reporter |
|
||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion