It could also be related to the $300 million Terminal 2 modernization that is going on at the moment. When done, T2 won't be much of a dump anymore. Here's Westfield's site:
http://westfieldatlax.com/blog/2014/...ing-press-kit/
There's a pdf listing of all the food and retail shops that T2 will have when the project is complete. That's a lot for a relatively small terminal, but I get the experience LAWA is trying to achieve. Interesting there will be a restaurant on the Mezzanine level. Isn't that the same level as the lounge?
Given HA, I would not be too surprised if they are closing the lounge down for good just for the hell of it. Their non-revs and employee travelers are treated better than their elites.