Jan. 26--The committee bidding to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles shifted gears Monday, announcing that it wants to place its athletes village on the UCLA campus.
LA 2024 officials had previously looked at partnering with a private developer at numerous locations around the city, including an Eastside rail yard known as the Piggyback Yard.
That site raised concerns, with city officials estimating the cost of purchase, cleanup and construction could run upward of $2 billion.
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Though UCLA would not shift to low-cost residential house after the Games, it would represent a more economical choice for temporarily housing as many as 17,000 athletes, coaches and staff during the 17-day event. The university recently said it hopes to add 2,000 beds to meet growing enrollment.
LA 2024 also announced that it wants to use USC facilities for media and other housing.
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