NBC Universal Mulls 400-Acre Plan

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA-NBC Universal has launched plans for further development of its 400-acre Universal City property, home to CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood, with Thomas Properties Group of Los Angeles as a key consultant. NBC Universal's property is one of the largest contiguous sites owned by a single entity in the developed portions of Los Angeles County.Universal City, which traces its beginnings to 1912, already includes significant development with its movie studio and theme park, entertainment venues, hotels, office buildings and a regional transportation hub at the property's front door on Lankershim Boulevard. The new plan is designed to optimize the use of the four main portions of the 400-acre property, according to Ron Meyer, president and COO, Universal Studios.The four areas are the core studio front lot, the back lot, the entertainment center and the business center. The planning process, in which NBC Universal says it will work closely with the community, will consider the feasibility of adding residential, retail, production facilities, new entertainment offerings, office buildings and hotels.In addition to Downtown LA-based Thomas Properties Group, NBC Universal has retailed Rios Clementi Hale Studios as a consultant on the planning. Thomas Properties Group's assignment is to assess the back lot as well as overall property integration including the property's edge adjacent to Los Angeles River. Rios Clementi Hale Studios will lead the urban planning process to create a cohesive master plan for the diverse property.NBC Universal plans to work with Thomas, Rios Clementi, the City and County of Los Angeles and the property's neighbors over the next several months. The planning will include an environmental impact report as well as a public process of review and comment.The existing development includes approximately 370 buildings, with more than 30 of them serving as fully operational sound stages. More than 45 television shows were filmed on the back lot in 2005, including Desperate Housewives, Crossing Jordan, and Complete Savages.Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk are two of the area's biggest tourist attractions, with the studio featuring tours as well as rides based on movies and TV shows. Universal CityWalk features more than 30 restaurants and bars, an AMC 18 theater complex with IMAX screen, the Gibson Amphitheatre and approximately 30 shops and boutiques.