School Board Votes to Buy High-Rise

The Los Angeles school board voted Tuesday to issue more than $184 million in bonds, including $60 million in building repair and improvement costs, to buy a downtown high-rise for the new district headquarters.

The 29-story building was deemed structurally unsound in a report released two weeks ago by an internal auditor for the Los Angeles Unified School District. But Supt. Roy Romer said he believes the building is the best buy.

“All the engineers said this is a safe building,� he said. Although some floors sag, he said, “it’s not an issue of safety.�

The building costs $74.5 million. Needed improvements, which include reinforcing 19 floors, will cost about $19 million, with an additional $40 million for general upgrades. The remaining money is for such things as insurance and equipment.

Located at 333 S. Beaudry Ave., the building will house workers who are scattered throughout six district offices in the downtown area. The move will allow the headquarters at 450 N. Grand Ave. to become a new high school.

The purchase got four votes in favor, one against and two abstentions.

Board members Jose Huizar and Julie Korenstein, who abstained, cited worries about the potential for unforeseen repairs and costs.

“Originally, I supported the purchase of this building because I wanted so desperately to see a new school at this location on 450 N. Grand,� Huizar said. “ I feel we are settling on this building, and I do not want to settle.�

Korenstein said she was “still troubled over its acquisition. I cannot tell you how uncomfortable I am.�

But Romer called the vote “the right decision. This is the best price, it’s a safe building, it’s the best parking we can get.�

In his internal report, Inspector General Don Mullinax raised concerns that the floors were uneven and too weak to support file cabinets and other heavy equipment.

The 935,000-square-foot Beaudry building has been occupied by Security Pacific Bank and Bank of America since its completion in 1982.

Board member David Tokofsky, who has been skeptical of the purchase from the beginning, voted against the decision. He said the property has been called a “walking dead� building and he expects more problems with it to arise.

“Round 1 is over,� he said. “There will be 10 more rounds. It will continue to be a headache.�

But board President Caprice Young said she was pleased that the board will now be able to move toward its goal of building 86 schools in five years. This year, the district is concentrating on staking out land for 17 high schools, six middle schools, 24 elementary schools, 35 primary centers and four continuation schools.