Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) has released a request for qualifications (RFQ) for parties interested in developing all or a portion of the LAX Northside Area project.
The RFQ process will pre-qualify development teams and invite those selected to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
The LAX Northside Development Area is approximately 88 acres, situated between the north airfield of LAX and the communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey, stretching from Loyola Boulevard and Westchester Parkway on the east to Pershing Drive on the west. It is located immediately adjacent to LAX and in close proximity to educational institutions, a world-class tech hub, a retail corridor and residential areas.
John Carver, deputy executive director at LAWA, said, “The Northside Area project provides an opportunity for Los Angeles World Airports to pursue creative and innovative design concepts for new development that will include commercial, civic and recreational elements, all right next to a major international airport.
“This site represents one of the last parcels of true significance in the entire Silicon Beach area and we encourage all interested developers to submit their qualifications and share their vision for the future of LAX’s Northside.”
The LAX Northside Area land was originally acquired by LAX more than 30 years ago, mainly through funds from the FAA. Between 2010 and 2017, LAWA held more than 50 community engagement meetings with local residents to discuss the future of this property.
The Northside project, approved in 2015, incorporated feedback received by the community on the types of allowable uses for this area. These uses include campus-like office and research and development facilities, open space and recreational uses, civic uses and a secured landscaped buffer zone.
The development team ultimately chosen for the LAX Northside Area project will also be responsible for the implementation of all necessary parking, pedestrian walkways, buffers, and other project amenities.
LAWA officials are inviting respondents to submit proposals for all or part of the LAX Northside Area project. All interested developers seeking to advance to the RFP stage must submit qualifications by October 31, 2018, at 2pm PST.