Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA considers fast-tracking construction of temporary structures for promised 'no build' Olympics
Temporary structures like bleachers, bathrooms and fan zones were erected in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.
(
Kevin Voigt
/
Getty Images
)
The L.A. City Council advanced a plan Tuesday to fast-track the development of temporary structures for the Olympic Games.
The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics have been touted as "no build" events because most sports will be played at already existing venues across Southern California. A couple competitions, canoe slalom and softball, will be hosted in Oklahoma City.
Still, hosting the Games takes more than just the competition venues and will require all types of supporting infrastructure such as spectator seating, bathrooms, training facilities, media centers and zones for fans to gather.
Those were the types of structures the City Council took aim at Tuesday, directing city staff to prepare an ordinance that would allow some temporary builds to bypass zoning regulations and city planning approval. That ordinance would require temporary projects to be removed within six months after the Games.
Support for LAist comes from
Certain projects would not be eligible for these zoning exemptions. That includes Metro light rail projects, cable-guided or aerial transportation projects (like the controversial Dodger Stadium gondola) and housing demolitions, according to a "conceptual" draft of the ordinance produced by the city planning department.
Temporary projects located at Olympic venues or otherwise approved by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' Office of Major Events and other city staff would be eligible.
The ordinance also would create a path for permanent projects related to the Games to be considered for an exemption from city planning and zoning regulations, if they are approved by the City Council directly.
These proposals have been months in the making, and multiple neighborhood councils have weighed in. A letter from the Studio City Neighborhood Council president specifically opposed including exemptions for permanent structures.
The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council penned a letter criticizing "blanket exemptions" for Olympic projects in general.
"The Olympics are a short-term, spectator event, and infrastructure that serves the public good, the city as a whole, should be prioritized over the Olympics," that letter reads.
Support for LAist comes from
Other neighborhood councils wrote into the council in support.
"Demand for city agencies and their staff will be above capacity as the games approach," the Rampart Village Neighborhood Council wrote to the City Council in July. "It is essential that the city takes all necessary measures to ensure the timely and successful delivery of the infrastructure required for this momentous event."
There still are several steps before the City Council has a final vote on this matter, and it could be slowed by the city's budget issues. In a report for the council, planning director Vincent Bertoni warned that the city's limited staffing could delay developing and approving the ordinance.
According to that report, the planning department's division overseeing the ordinance "has lost 40% of its staffing capacity" in the new budget.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist