Score one for Westwood

Westsiders are celebrating and big victory today after the federal government decided to drop its massive proposed expansion of the FBI headquarters in Westwood. The Times' Martha Groves reports that residents worried about more traffic on already clogged roads like Wilshire and the 405. But now, could the new FBI building be coming downtown?

Councilman Jack Weiss, who represents the area, agreed. "There's no question that when the FBI gets a new headquarters in Los Angeles, that will also be a great victory for L.A.," he said. "We'll locate that building, I hope, in a more central location that makes more sense in terms of law enforcement, access to the rest of government and traffic." Downtown Los Angeles, Weiss added, best meets that description, but he said he would be open to other suggestions.

What do you think? Hit COMMENT and speak out!

Comments

[Steven Thomas]

With the FBI leaving, the subway is not far less likely to get the federal funding needed to get it built. Thanks for more traffic you damn NIMBYs!

[greg kay]

After reading that this is considered a "victory" by westsiders, I think the subway to the sea should stop at about, say Beverly Hills. And then split to go due north to the valley and due south to LAX. Because obviously the folks in Westwood are oblivious to the fact that they are in the middle of a metropolis. Perhaps they should also change the name "Westwood" to "Lake Forest North."

[Kate]

I totally agree with you, Jeff, but I'm pretty sure neither of us was in those negotiations.

[jeff]

I understand the Westsiders' objections, but I think an opportunity was missed here.

Surely some kind of negotiation with the federal government could have led to a fully funded Purple line extension, an improved Wilshire interchange on the 405 and perhaps even some kind of north/south line from the LAX to the valley.

Another illustrative case of why long term transportation planning is necessary for LA. And the terrorist argument is ridiculous. When will those who make this argument grow up and stop living in fear?

[Kate]

Richard H., I guess it's a matter of trading one type of shortsightedness for another, if you want to look at it that way. But, seriously, have you seen Wilshire and Westwood and the 405?

[Richard H]

Only the Los Angeles Westside would consider the lose of a major employer, in fact the biggest and most stable employer in the United States, the U.S. Federal Government, to be a “victory”.

Most communities would have been ecstatic over the F.B.I. Headquarters expansion plans. Not West L.A. It would attract terrorists and motorists.

How about closing up UCLA next. After the Virginia Tech shootings, something like that could happen there, too. Another dangerous threat to the peace and tranquility of West L.A.

Lalaland, lalaland, lalaland.

[Kate]

RB: Until the subway gets extended to Westwood, we're not wasting our time. I'm not opposed to expansion, but we need the transportation infrastructure to support it.

[manuel]

If they would have approved this building it would have increased the possibility of the subway to the sea to be contructed. And maybe a line on the 405. but now that this building has been kicked out ot the westwood area the subway to the sea is just a dream.

[RB]

If the subway would ever get extended to Westwood, the west siders wouldn't have to waste their time protesting a great job center like this one.