LOS ANGELES : Westchester Site Bought for New Police Academy
The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to purchase an empty electronics plant in Westchester for a new Police Academy, putting a near-certain end to competing plans to put the training facility in Sylmar.
In a closed-door meeting, the council agreed to pay $13 million for the 13.8-acre former Hewlett-Packard facility near the San Diego Freeway and Manchester Boulevard. Hewlett-Packard negotiators have accepted the offer.
City and police officials say the deal is going to save about $50 million because the building already has amenities, such as classroom space and a large cafeteria, that can be used for police training with few modifications.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, whose district includes the Westchester land. “It should be a big win for everyone.”
The decision to forgo construction of the academy in Sylmar, near the Olive View Medical Center, also was welcomed by equestrians who had feared that an academy there would diminish use of nearby horse trails.
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