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Politics & Government

County Approves Expansion of Universal Studios Theme Park

The $1.6 billion project is designed to add 1.88 million new square feet of film and television production facilities along with a Harry Potter theme park attraction.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today tentatively approved a plan Tuesday for NBCUniversal to dramatically expand its Universal Studios theme park with more film and television production facilities.

The $1.6 billion project -- dubbed Universal Evolution and nearly a decade in the planning -- is expected to add 1.88 million new square feet on roughly 391 acres at 100 University City Plaza. The proposal includes studio space, office buildings, retail space, a 500-room hotel and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new theme park attraction.

It will create more than 30,000 jobs during construction and operation, an economic impact of more than $2.7 billion during construction and more than $15 million in new county revenues, an NBCUniversal spokeswoman told the board.

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The company has also agreed to invest $100 million in transportation and transit improvements to mitigate the project's impact on traffic. Another $13.5 million will fund green space and bike paths along the Los Angeles River from Griffith Park to Studio City.

A short video featuring directors Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard and actor Paul Rudd was played during the hearing, highlighting the 100-year history of the Universal backlot and the many films -- including "Spartacus," "King Kong," "E.T." and "Jaws" -- created by the Hollywood studio.

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Less than 20 percent of the site sits within the city of Los Angeles, and the City Council unanimously approved the development in February.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky praised the "unprecedented coalition of neighborhood groups" who came together to try to make the project work.

The vast majority of speakers -- including residents and many members of the 30-odd unions that work on the Hollywood backlot -- supported the project and praised NBCUniversal's flexibility in meeting concerns about noise and lights.

A 2,397-unit residential component originally planned for the project was eliminated based on community concerns.

But the Blair Drive Residents Group said more needed to be done.

Residents of about 20 homes within 300 feet of the site are frequently woken by "helicopters all hours of the night, explosions, gunfire," resident Rick Gombar said.

The studio has the authority "to do this 24-7, without exception. Period," Gombar added. He and an attorney representing the group asked for restrictions on filming.

The board voted unanimously to direct its lawyers to prepare the necessary documents to approve the project, which will come back for another vote at a future meeting.

"Today's action ensures that one of L.A.'s most historic motion picture and television studios will continue to be a pillar of our hometown industry," Yaroslavsky said.

Construction is expected to begin this summer.

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