UNIVERSAL CITY : MCA, Homeowners Discuss Park Plans

MCA Inc. is consulting with nearby homeowners groups about plans to complete its CityWalk amusement park and construct a six-story parking garage, a company official said Monday.

Christine Hanson, vice president for corporate communications, said the addition of several retail shops and restaurants and the parking garage were approved by the county along with the original plot plan for CityWalk.

“We just want to keep our community apprised of what we are doing as the process unfolds,” Hanson said. She added that the 1,115-car garage is expected to be complete by summer, but that details were not available on the restaurants or retail shops.

Earlier this month, the company announced plans to produce a long-sought master plan for development on its 420 acres in the Cahuenga Pass.

Company officials also vowed to keep open the lines of communication with the public.

Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Assn., which opposed earlier MCA plans for a 10-story parking garage on Coral Drive, praised the idea of community meetings.

“It seems that MCA has taken every step to accommodate nearby residents,” Lucente said.

Michael Wester, president of the Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Assn. and longtime critic of MCA for its lack of a master plan, agreed.

“We appreciate the fact that they’ve contacted us and that we’re talking about this,” he said.