LAX Neighbors, City Officials Tour Soundproofed Home

About 100 city officials and residents inspected a newly soundproofed model home near Los Angeles International Airport’s north runway Thursday.

The public may visit the two-bedroom house in the 400 block of Waterview Street by appointment, said Nancy Niles, community relations director for the LAX residential soundproofing program.

Niles said about 9,000 houses and apartments in Playa del Rey, Westchester and South Los Angeles are eligible for soundproofing at no cost to owners.

The unoccupied model home is outfitted with double windows, heavy solid-core front and back doors, attic insulation, a fresh-air-return system and a special glass fireplace door that muffles noise entering through the chimney,

About 400 homes are being soundproofed under the program.

To be eligible, homes must be in areas where the average noise level is 65 decibels or louder, Niles said, adding that soundproofing cuts noise inside in half.

Mayor Richard Riordan, City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter and airport officials were among those who toured the house.