With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
City Panel Recommends Moving Forward with Privatization of 10 City Parking Garages [Updated]
Photo by Andrew Stawarz via Flickr
()
Photo by Andrew Stawarz via Flickr
To fill in a budget shortfall of $208 million ($485 million next fiscal year), many ideas about public-private partnerships have been floated. From selling the zoo and golf courses to the convention center, it's all on the talked about. One item, however, took a major step last night at meeting of the L.A. City Council's Budget & Finance Committee: privatizing ten parking garages (and future ones under construction and planned) for 50 years. [Update: After discussion, the full council approved moving forward with developing a draft request for qualifications.]
"The truth is," Matt Szabo, Mayor Villaraigosa's Chief of Staff, twittered, "after 11 hours of debate, the parking garage proposal was the most significant item the committee actually approved."
The committee approved moving forward with the plan to privatize ten city parking garages in Los Angeles by authorizing the development of a request for proposals and related funds to the tune of a half million dollars. If the idea works,hundreds of millions would be paid by private entities up front to the city--that money would go into the city's depleted reserve fund--for the right to run and profit off parking garages. The issue will be discussed and possibly voted on by the full City Council at today's meeting.
Support for LAist comes from
City staff also pushed for finishing a study of privatizing parking meters, something the city of Chicago did, selling them to Morgan Stanley for 75 years. Councilmembers were adamantly against the idea, voting unanimously against it.
However, they did direct the Department of Transportation to speed up parking meter replacement citywide. "It's gold in the gutter," exclaimed Councilman Bill Rosendahl, annoyed with broken parking meters all over the city. But the city's top transportation official, Rita Robinson one upped him: "were passing up gold bars now."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
Best of LAist