Councilman O'Farrell to Lobby Washington for L.A. River Revitalization

CD 13 Councilman Mitch O'Farrell will travel to Washington, D.C., next week to lobby in on behalf of a Los Angeles River revitalization project.

The Los Angeles City Council earlier this year officially backed the most expensive and  comprehensive of four revitalization options being considered by Congress known as Alternative 20.

Alternative 20 is expected to cost approximately $1.08 billion, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.

"If Congress can waste $24 billion dollars on a government shutdown, then we can certainly find the funding for recreational space that will benefit Americans for decades to come, plus result in billions of dollars in economic development along our Los Angeles River," O'Farrell wrote in a post on his website. "The revitalization efforts will return the River's natural habitat that our ancestors enjoyed, and certify our status as a world-class city."

If the project does move forward, it would be the largest federal-local investment partnership in the river's history, O'Farrell said.

Also traveling to Washtington D.C. next week is Mayor Eric Garcetti, Mayor Eric Garcetti who will lobby in favor of a people-mover and other transit improvements at Los Angeles International Airport. Council members Gil Cedillo, Bob Blumenfield and Joe Buscaino will also be part of the delegation of city leaders going to Washington.

- City News Service also contributed to this report.