LA Olympics Bid Hits Snag Over Proposed 'Olympic Village' Location
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A potential obstacle has already presented itself in LA's dreams of hosting another Olympics.
While Los Angeles remains the U.S. candidate for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, uncertainty has risen out of the question of whether or not the city can build an Olympic Village.
City leaders addressed the issue on Wednesday, as LA24, the bid committee, proposed the "Piggyback" rail yards near Downtown as a potential landing spot for the village.
The location would have 17,000 beds for athletes, coaches and staff.
The village would then be converted to available housing units after the games.
Councilman Mitch O'Farrell said in Wednesday's meeting that it could cost up to $2 billion to buy the yard, which is owned by Union Pacific railroad, and then relocate it.
The cost under those circumstances could be tripled.
LA24 released a statement Wednesday, which read: "The Piggyback Yards... would support the continued revitalization and neighborhood renewal along the LA River, and while that is an attractive possibility, we're also looking at two dozen other parcels across our city to find the right locations for our athletes, for our city and for our budget."
The Olympic Village will be privately developed, according to the city. Mayor Eric Garcetti says he looks forward to reviewing several options for potential locations.
