Proposal Limits Telecom Units in L.A.’s Center

Downtown Los Angeles civic and business leaders Tuesday unveiled a proposed ordinance designed to limit the conversion of storefronts and historic structures into telecommunications switching stations.

The ordinance--which is backed by Mayor Richard Riordan, the Central City Assn. and key downtown City Council members--was created in response to growing concern that telecom conversions threaten efforts to revive downtown street life. The rapidly expanding telecom offices are usually staffed with skeleton crews to monitor and maintain electronic and communications equipment.

“The problem with such industries is that they are known to fill an entire building with computer equipment only,” said council member Rita Walters, who introduced the motion restricting telecom conversions. “People are generally nonexistent in these areas.”

Under the proposed ordinance, storefronts in the heart of the central city would be off-limits for telecom uses. In addition, no more than 80% of a building could be devoted to switching equipment unless the owners receive city approval. The conversion limits would be more stringent in the historic core along Spring Street and Broadway, where no more than 25% of a building could be devoted to telecom equipment without city approval.

The issue has been a thorny one for business and civic leaders since telecom conversions have absorbed vast amounts of formerly empty space. Telecom tenants occupy 3.4 million square feet--or more than 8% of downtown’s office space, according to the association. They have paid top dollar for space in buildings such as One Wilshire that are linked to a high-speed information network that covers the central city.

“Telecommunications and the other ‘new technology’ companies it brings with it represent downtown’s emerging new economy,” said Central City Assn. President Carol Schatz. “But a balance must be struck between ‘switching equipment’ and jobs that will foster retail growth and a vibrant, pedestrian-rich street life.”

The motion creating the ordinance will be reviewed and approved by the City Council’s planning and land use committee before it is put to a vote before the full council.