College Board Rejects Campus Golf Course
Proposals to develop a golf course on the 200-acre Pierce College farm were rejected Wednesday by the Los Angeles Community College District board, which said it wants to first complete a master plan for the campus.
In a unanimous vote, the seven-member board followed the recommendation of Jim Goodell, the district’s recently hired asset manager. He had said it is premature to develop a golf course without looking at future needs of the entire Woodland Hills campus.
The decision angered developer Eddie J. Milligan, who said he spent $300,000 on his proposal for an 18-hole golf course and equestrian center on the land, one of the largest tracts of open space in the West San Fernando Valley.
Milligan’s attorney, Bill Powers, said the board’s vote was “legally improper, bad public policy and not in the interest of Pierce College.”
District officials maintained that the vote was well within the law.
“The board of trustees can, at will, reject all bids,” said Bonnie James, vice chancellor of the district.
James noted that the request for proposals that Milligan and others replied to had specifically said the district “may choose to . . . reject all proposals and terminate the process. This decision will be solely at the discretion of the district.”
Rocky Young, Pierce’s new president, said it should take about a year to complete academic and facilities master plans.
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