Council Backs Redevelopment of Downtown Library District

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday threw its support behind a $1-billion downtown redevelopment project, praising the massive proposal as the only way to rescue the city’s historic but deteriorating Central Library.

Although final approval of the Library Square project is still a month away, council members directed city department heads to push ahead on the redevelopment plan and give it “the highest priority.”

The complex plan, which would rely on revenues from private developments, calls for three high-rise office buildings to be constructed near the library on 5th Street in the financial district. Among the planned buildings is a 71-story skyscraper--which would be the city’s tallest--as well as 67- and 27-story office buildings.

City officials said Wednesday that their primary reason for backing the project was to restore the 59-year-old Central Library building, the operations of which have been plagued by fire code violations and lack of space. The redevelopment plan would renovate the library and double its size--at a cost of $141 million.

Councilman Joel Wachs, reflecting the sentiment behind an 11-0 council vote, described the renovation plan as “the single most outstanding and important project we have had in our city” during his 14 years in office.

City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie, who told reporters that the project would take three years to complete, added that parking problems and other concerns voiced by city transportation and planning officials largely have been resolved.