Holden Asks to Spend $280,000 on His Office

Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden said Monday that he wants the city to spend $280,000 to expand his City Hall office, a project one of his colleagues suggested was inappropriate given the economy.

Holden wants his office extended into a council committee room, which would be redesigned. Portions of his office would also be renovated, a project that would cost about $180,000. The committee room would be moved down the hall to a vacant space, which would require about $100,000 in renovations, he said. Holden said his office is one of the smallest in City Hall and that he has not made any improvements since moving in 4 1/2 years ago.

Councilman Mike Hernandez, chairman of the committee, reminded Holden that these are not ordinary economic times, that the city has had to impose a difficult hiring freeze and limit the strength of the Police Department. Councilman Ernani Bernardi and Hernandez agreed to send the matter to the full council without a recommendation, but Hernandez indicated that he is not looking favorably on the proposal.