West Hollywood : Building Extension Denied

The Writers Guild of America West lost a bid Tuesday for an extra year to begin expanding its West Hollywood headquarters after members of the City Council expressed concern over reports that the union plans to sell the property.

Over the protests of neighbors, the 7,000-plus member guild won council permission two years ago to build an office addition, parking garage and two residential townhouse units on its property off Beverly Boulevard at Almont Drive and Rosewood Avenue.

The guild, which represents film and television writers, was given two years to get the project under way or lose its permits if it did not get an extension.

In turning down the guild’s request, council members cited newspaper reports that the group is asking $5.96 million for its 22,000-square-foot facility.

Guild spokesman Paul D. Nawrocki acknowledged that the union is looking for alternatives to the site it has held since the 1950s, but he said no decision has been made.