LA Mayor Unveils Plan To Slash Construction Time, Costs For Building Projects
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Construction time and costs could be reduced for 600 building projects a year in the city of Los Angeles under a new initiative announced Thursday.
Under the new Inspection Case Management (ICM) program, the Department of Building and Safety coordinate inspections among critical city departments for restaurants, charter schools and other major projects to slash construction times by 3 to 6 months, Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
The new program is expected to also reduce costs and encouraged local investment, Garcetti said.
"This back to basics initiative cuts red tape and increases customer service to make L.A. more attractive to investments that create jobs," said Garcetti. "When you're investing in L.A., City Hall should be there to help you and not add delays to your work order."
Over a dozen projects with a combined valuation of over $903 million are currently being assisted through the ICM program, according to the mayor's office.
The announcement comes as the city has experienced a 40 percent increase in both construction valuation and housing units permitted since July 2013, Garcetti said.
Based on the accumulated construction valuation of about $1.8 billion for the first quarter of fiscal year 2014-15, year-end constrution valuation could hit the highest mark in L.A. history, according to the mayor's office.