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Community braces for Endeavour’s travel through Westchester Westchester welcomes the Endeavour: Since landing at LAX on September 21, the shuttle seems to be on everyone’s mind. Westchester will play a vital role on the shuttle’s journey to downtown. When the Space Shuttle Endeavour landed at LAX on Friday, September 21 at 12:45 p.m., the area surrounding the airport seemingly shut down. Traffic stopped on major thoroughfares, including the 105 freeway off-ramp, and parking lots and office building rooftops were crowded with workers eager to snap photos and to be a part of a historic moment in Los Angeles history.
Excitement and anticipation for Endeavour’s 2-mile-per-hour 12-mile trek through the streets of Los Angeles, however, could be even higher. As of press time, the shuttle is expected to leave LAX at 2 a.m. on October 12. The route through Westchester to the Science Center is expected to be as follows: • LAX United Hanger to Northside access road to security gate. • Exit security gate and travel east on Northside Parkway to Lincoln Boulevard. • Cross Lincoln Boulevard bearing left onto McConnell Ave. (continued on page 4)
The shuttle, seen here doing a fly over at LAX, is expected to draw hundreds, if not thousands of people to the Westchester Town Center. PHOTO BY KEVORK DJANSEZIAN-POOL/GETTY IMAGES.
LAX Expansion town hall draws hundreds of concerned residents Hundreds of concerned community members turned out for the Thursday, September 27 town hall meeting held by the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) at Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets School to discuss the LAX Draft EIR for the Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS). Attendees heard presentations from Los Angeles World Airports SPAS Project Manager, Diego Alvarez, and representatives from a variety of community groups including ARSAC (Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion), Westchester Neighbors Association and the NCWP, who all spoke out against any proposal that would push the airport’s boundary north. Congresswoman Maxine Waters told attendees that she “stands in opposition” to the proposals to move the runway, which received a rousing round of applause from the audience. Said NCWP representative Terry Marcellus, “There is a feeling out there that we are opposed to airport activity; we are opposed to airport building, none of which is true. Many have said until we are blue in the
face, Westchester is not an anti-airport community, we are an airport adjacent community who wants the airport to run as well as it possible can for our benefit and the entire city.” Out of the nine alternatives presented by LAWA, the NCWP has come out in favor of Alternatives 2 and 9, which are the only alternatives that do not call for moving the runway north into Westchester and Playa del Rey. LAWA has not stated which proposal they prefer. Said Marcellus, “The position of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa is that by combining alternatives 2 and 9 the SPAS goal will be fulfilled. These alternatives are the most affordable design options that will ensure LAX passengers needs are met and that we protect the economy and tourism.” The public comment period for the LAX SPAS Draft EIR ends on October 10. Those interested can submit their comments via laxspas.org, via email at spaseircomments@lawa.org or by writing Mr. Diego Alvarez; Los Angeles World Airports; 1 World Way, Room 218; Los Angeles, CA 90045.
At left: Town hall presenters discuss the airport with Congresswoman Maxine Waters. From left to right: David Voss, LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy Chair; Craig Eggers, NCWP Airport Relations Chair; Congresswoman Maxine Waters and ARSAC President Denny Schneider.
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