LOS ANGELES | LAX Modernization Plan - Page 3

plinko · #1 Posted **Jan 16, 2009, 6:05 PM**

^Well yeah, but this is essentially a public works project. So while it would be lovely to get a Calatrava or Rogers or Foster, Fentress isn't a terrible alternative.

I agree the bridge needs a little work (I like the Theme Building-esque concept), and I actually quite like the concourse roofs. The middle building? Meh...sometimes a theme can get a little overcooked.

There will be lots of value engineering with this (hopefully they don't VE the bridge in favor of some stupid Dulles type transfer system), but if LAX gets something that nearly looks like this concept, I'm alright with that.

And Stratosphere...underground (while ideal) is WAY too expensive..the shoring alone (due to the relative elevation to the ocean) is probably more expensive than a bridge.

dimondpark · #2 Posted **Jan 16, 2009, 8:26 PM**

that's hot.

Quixote · #3 Posted **Jan 18, 2009, 11:13 AM**

I wish they would do something about the exterior of the current TBIT. It looks like a prison.

Regarding the rail connection, does anybody know if the Green Line is to be extended to Aviation/Century (where it would meet up with the people mover) or to the airport itself? I prefer the latter.

Overall, I'm pretty content with what I see. I yearn for the day when we can greet passengers in an airport like this and transport them to a vibrant and revitalized DTLA via the LAX Express.

J_Taylor · #4 Posted **Jan 18, 2009, 3:19 PM**

I like it, and think the bridge is just fine the way it is.

jamesinclair · #5 Posted **Jan 18, 2009, 11:43 PM**

The bridge will allow for some fantastic pictures

Quixote · #6 Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 6:59 AM**

LAX Chief Says Bring Trains to Airport

By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
January 16, 2009

The head of Los Angeles International Airport said she supports efforts to extend the Metro Green Line but remained frustrated that the train won't directly connect with airline terminals.

"The plans for bringing it into the airport sound better than they are because they don't actually bring the Green Line into the central terminal area," Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of LAX, said Thursday during a luncheon hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum.

For now, the Green Line ends about two miles from LAX, forcing commuters to take a brief bus ride to the airport.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's plan calls for extending the Green Line to nearby Manchester Square. From there, travelers would board a people mover to gain access to the airport terminals.

"That's fine, because it certainly gets you a lot closer to the airport, and that's a good thing, but you still need to get off the Green Line and onto some other conveyance to get into the central terminal area," she said. "We're in support of it, but let's understand it's not as perfect as if we did this from scratch."

MTA spokesman Rick Jager did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment about Lindsey's statements.

The Green Line opened in 1995 at a cost of $700 million, running 20 miles from Norwalk to Redondo Beach, but bypassing LAX by about two miles.

Initial plans called for extending the Green Line to LAX as soon as 2015, but a revised report from the MTA notes that the project won't be completed until sometime from 2018 to 2022 at an estimated cost of $400 million.

LAX officials said the airport's current layout would make it difficult to extend the Green Line directly into the central terminal area. Lindsey lamented that her predecessors should have had the foresight to allow for better access to public transportation. Most large cities have rail lines that directly connect to their airports.

"As a general rule, I think mass transit as a connection to major airports is an absolute must," she said. "If you were building an airport today, you would want a rail line to make it efficient."

edluva · #7 Posted **Jan 23, 2009, 10:21 AM**

^the green line isn't exactly an "efficient" way to get to LAX, even with a direct connection to terminals. i know we'll take what we can get, but it's still a shitty option. good for one of green line's original premises though - airport workers

LosAngelesSportsFan · #8 Posted **Feb 12, 2009, 6:49 PM**

excellent, i was hoping this project would get stimulus money.

Quixote · #9 Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 2:11 AM**

Magazine Honors LAX Ocean-Inspired Design

By Staff Writer
February 17, 2009

The ocean-inspired concept for remodeling the international terminal at LAX was named one of the state's 10 most promising architectural projects by California Home and Design magazine, it was announced today.

Fentress Architects came up with the idea of designing rooftops resembling crashing waves and other elements inspired by the nearby Pacific. The arches of Los Angeles International Airport's iconic theme building also are incorporated into the overall design.

"This distinction proclaims that we are on the right track in terms of modernizing LAX, dramatically enhancing the passenger experience and reestablishing the airport as a modern U.S. gateway in a competitive global market," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports.

The project is expected to cost $2 billion to $3 billion. Fentress Architects won a $41.5 million, three-year contract to design the west side of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and a midfield concourse.

The Bradley West project will take about seven years to complete.

The firm also designed Denver International Airport, where the roof is adorned with white fiberglass peaks to represent the Rocky Mountains.

Steve2726 · #10 Posted **Mar 24, 2009, 4:13 PM**

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5124260.story

Cross-field taxiway OKd for LAX

By Dan Weikel
March 24, 2009

Los Angeles airport officials Monday approved construction of a key modernization project at LAX.

The Board of Airport Commissioners unanimously awarded an $82-million contract to R&L Brosamer Inc. to build a cross-field taxiway for Los Angeles International Airport that would make it easier for aircraft to move between the north and south runway complexes.

The cross-field taxiway, which is scheduled to begin construction in May, is one of several projects in the first phase of the long-awaited LAX modernization plan. The others include reconstructing the airport's central utility plant and substantial improvements to the Bradley terminal, such as additional gates, new concourses and a great central hall filled with restaurants and concessions.

Airport officials estimate the cost of the first round of projects as at least $3.3 billion.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #11 Posted **Apr 24, 2009, 11:25 PM**

that would be perfect. with no stops from Union station, i cant imagine it taking longer than 20 minutes.

Quixote · #12 Posted **Apr 24, 2009, 11:47 PM**

^ Assuming it would be nonstop and mostly grade-separated, I'd say it's more like 10-15 minutes.

JDRCRASH · #13 Posted **Apr 27, 2009, 4:33 PM**

^ Are you talking about the Transrapid?

Regarding this LAX Express; is it gonna use the Harbor Subdivision ROW?

XLucky4LifeX · #14 Posted **May 4, 2009, 3:38 AM**

THAT IS SOOO COOL!!!!!!
LAX has beautiful architecture.

dl3000 · #15 Posted **May 5, 2009, 12:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLucky4LifeX

THAT IS SOOO COOL!!!!!!
LAX has beautiful architecture.

LAX MIGHT HAVE beautiful architecture.

Quixote · #16 Posted **May 5, 2009, 2:59 AM**

^ LAX will have beautiful architecture.

Anyways, I hope the sky bridge is built. It would replace the Theme Building as the defining symbol of LAX.

Quixote · #17 Posted **May 5, 2009, 10:11 PM**

LAX Opens Bidding for New Shops

By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer
May 4, 2009

The Board of Airport Commissioners on Monday put out a call for bids for companies wanting to operate shops and eateries in Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8 at Los Angeles International Airport.

Officials offered five options that will allow concessionaires to bid for 22 stores and 20 restaurants covering nearly 71,000 square feet. The airport commission is expected to select the winning bids on Sept. 16, with the contracts set to last for 10 years.

"We have sized the packages to create opportunities for large and small companies," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that operates LAX.

Airport officials have said they hope to spotlight the region's culture and diversity by attracting more local stores and eateries to do business at LAX.

Companies that open shop at the airport will be required to invest at least $650 per square foot to refurbish their units, along with rental payments of 12 to 21 percent of their gross annual income.

LAX currently has 16 concession contracts with companies that provide more than 130 shops, restaurants and duty-free stores throughout the airport, generating more than $83 million in revenue during the last fiscal year.

LAX has significantly less capacity for stores and restaurants than most major airports across the country, offering only 5.1 square feet of concession space for every 1,000 people passing through the airport with an average spending of $7.85 per passenger, according to a report released last fall.

Concession contracts for Terminals 1, 3 and 6 are expected to be developed this year, while plans for Terminal 2 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal will be released in 2010.

edluva · #18 Posted **May 5, 2009, 10:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

^ LAX will have beautiful architecture.

how sure is the funding for you to say that? just curious

StethJeff · #19 Posted **May 5, 2009, 11:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

^ LAX will have beautiful architecture.

Anyways, I hope the sky bridge is built. It would replace the Theme Building as the defining symbol of LAX.

Not that our airport needs defining symbols (our downtown needs it more), but the skybridge would be a nice addition. Still, it'll be hard to replace the Theme Building - it's classic.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #20 Posted **May 5, 2009, 10:30 PM**

They should have an In & Out, Fat Burger, Pinks, Kogi, Zankou Chicken, Roscoes, all LA institutions at LAX.