In an effort to keep Boeing's world headquarters on the West Coast, representatives from Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan's office have suggested four potential real estate sites to Boeing in a variety of Southland areas.

Jeff Walden, Riordan's assistant deputy mayor and leader of the city's new business team, said a large piece of one of the sites - in the Harbor Gateway area near San Pedro – was already owned by Boeing. The company accumulated a significant amount of real estate when it merged with McDonnell Douglas in August 1977.

"There is some existing space already on the property," Walden said, "but Boeing could easily build another 400,000-500,000 square feet without any problem."

Walden said there were no special business tax incentives on the table for Boeing, but did admit some could be considered if Boeing moved into one of the city's "enterprise zones."

The Boeing Co., the largest Puget Sound employer for decades and a common household name, announced March 21 that it would move its world headquarters from Seattle to Denver, Dallas or Chicago to be closer to many of its customers. When other cities, like Los Angeles, got word of the move they began sharpening their pencils in an attempt to lure the biggest name in airplanes.

Other potential LA sites for Boeing suggested by the LA Mayor's office included the 704,00 square-foot Constellation Place tower currently under construction in Century City, just west of Beverly Hills. The anchor tenant for the 35-floor high-rise is media giant MGM which will take approximately 17 floors. The remaining space could easily go to Boeing, according to Walden, giving the company aerospace neighbors, including International Aircraft Leasing.

One of the more interesting site proposals also was on the Westside near the Westchester district and close to the Los Angeles International Airport. The new Howard Hughes Complex at Interstate 405 and Sepulveda Blvd is a multi-building cluster now housing new media companies and law firms.

"It is a complex that continues to be developed in a very attractive location," Walden said. "Again, it's another one of the sites where Boeing could easily obtain 500,000 square feet."

Riordan, who will leave office July 1, also had suggested a downtown complex as the new Boeing headquarters.

According to the just-completed "Kosmont Cost of Doing Business Survey" which ranks the expected estimated total cost of utility consumption, utility user tax, and business tax costs for 17 cities in Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles experienced the most dramatic improvement in its relative position, rising from 14th lowest cost to third lowest cost.

"The business tax to a company like Boeing is going to vary little – regardless what city it decides to choose," said Larry Kosmont, president of the Kosmont Companies, publisher of the report. "If there is not statutory application, special exemptions will be created."