LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles World Airports and city officials today broke ground on the LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility, which is expected to open in 2023.
The Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility, also noted as ConRAC, is planned to relocate more than 20 existing rental car locations into one 5.3-million- square-foot hub adjacent to the 405 freeway.
“We are building the world-class airport travelers need and deserve, and the Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility groundbreaking demonstrates how we're keeping this promise,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “We are making an investment that will improve the traveling experience, reduce congestion in surrounding neighborhoods and create middle-class careers for years to come.”
The groundbreaking included Garcetti, City Councilmen Joe Buscaino and Mike Bonin, LAWA Board of Airport Commissioners President Sean Burton, LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint and LAX ConRAC Partners Project Executive Karl Schaefer.
The facility will be built in an area bordered by Aviation Boulevard on the west, Arbor Vitae Street to the north, La Cienega Boulevard on the east and the new 98th Street extension to the south.
The ConRAC will include more than 200 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers, native drought-tolerant landscaping, use reclaimed water and will house a solar farm generating more than 8,400 megawatt hours annually.
“We are future-proofing everything we build at LAX,” Flint said. “Every project under construction or on the drawing board will meet our needs now and be capable of adapting to new technology and demands.”
The facility will feature 6,600 ready/return spaces, 10,000 idle vehicle storage spaces, 1,100 rental car employee spaces and Quick Turn Around facilities that facilitate car waiting, fueling and light maintenance.
With the completion of the facility, rental car shuttles will no longer access the LAX Central Terminal Area, and customers will instead ride the planned Automated People Mover train to get to their rental car company. With the removal of rental car shuttles, officials said LAX will see a reduction in vehicle traffic and a shorter wait time for passengers.
“This is a big step toward LAX becoming a world-class airport for travelers and a first-class neighbor to Westchester and Playa del Rey," Bonin said. “...This new consolidated rental car facility will reduce the number of shuttles and vans navigating the Central Terminal Area and nearby neighborhoods, improving both local traffic and air quality.”
LA Gateway Partners has designed and will construct and finance the project and also will be responsible for operating and maintaining it for 28 years.
Since 2009, the more than $14 billion has been committed to LAX improvements, Garcetti said. Construction of the ConRAC is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.
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