County Acquires Affordable New Headquarters, However, Upgrades Cause Sticker Shock
In the heart of Los Angeles County, a series of financial decisions and challenges are causing ripples, with the proposed seismic upgrades for the Gas Company Tower being a significant point of contention.
The Gas Company Tower, set to become L.A. County's new headquarters, was purchased for $200 million. However, a proposed contract for seismic upgrades, estimated to cost between $230–297 million, has been met with opposition from county supervisors. The Board of Supervisors has voted to suspend all proposals for seismic work on the tower, citing high costs and the building's compliance with the earthquake code in place when it was built in the late 1980s.
Supervisors Hilda Solis, Lindsey Horvath, and Janice Hahn have questioned the necessity and the high cost of these voluntary seismic upgrades. They argue that the upgrades were not clearly communicated at the time of purchase and have caused "sticker shock," given the county’s severe budget constraints. The county CEO’s office describes the work as proactive to ensure future resilience, but supervisors question whether such a large investment is justified amid significant fiscal pressures, including federal budget cuts, a $4-billion sex abuse settlement, and newly negotiated raises for county employees.
In response, the Board has requested a written report within 60 days detailing possible funding sources for the retrofit and an occupancy plan for the tower. The pause reflects concerns that the proposed seismic retrofit could nearly double the total cost of acquiring and preparing the building for county use, raising governance and budgetary oversight issues.
Meanwhile, L.A. County supervisors are open to the idea of a receiver taking control of the beleaguered juvenile halls, but they require the receiver to take on union agreements and civil service rules. The county's financial future is grim, with the city spending $25,800 to paint over graffiti in the 2nd Street Tunnel, only to see taggers immediately paint the walls again within 24 hours.
Elsewhere, the Hall of Administration, another county-owned building, could cost $700 million to earthquake-proof. Councilmember Imelda Padilla, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic Games, is navigating these challenges alongside efforts to prepare for the upcoming games.
As L.A. County grapples with these financial hurdles, the tension between making long-term proactive safety investments in county-owned infrastructure and current fiscal realities limiting available resources remains palpable.
- The ongoing debate over the seismic upgrades for the Gas Company Tower, set to house L.A. County's new headquarters, has moved into the realm of politics.
- The proposed $230–297 million for the Gas Company Tower's seismic upgrades has put a strain on the county's budget, also affecting areas like education-and-self-development and general-news.
- Amid the proposed seismic upgrades for county-owned buildings, the Hall of Administration requires a staggering $700 million for earthquake-proofing, adding to the county's fiscal burden.
- The county's severe budget constraints, compounded by federal budget cuts, a $4-billion sex abuse settlement, and newly negotiated raises for county employees, have left little room for sports funding.
- The county supervisors' decision to suspend the seismic work on the Gas Company Tower has highlighted the need for careful budgetary oversight, a topic in the realm of law and crime-and-justice.
- As the Gas Company Tower's seismic upgrades have stalled, attention has shifted to addressing crime in Los Angeles County, particularly in juvenile halls.
- In contrast to the Gas Company Tower's uncertain future, UCLA, a key player in the science and education domain, is pushing forward with plans for a $1 billion science and engineering hub.
- The immigration issue continues to affect California, with the state's policies influencing the overall climate change discourse at a national level.
- The financial challenges in Los Angeles County have also impacted its healthcare sector, as raising funds for seismic upgrades and other necessary infrastructure projects leaves less money for addressing vital health concerns.
