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Post by Gokhan on Jan 22, 2010 14:03:52 GMT -8
We have now come to the very final planning milestone of the Expo Line. On February 4, 2010, the Board of the Expo Line Construction Authority will vote on whether to approve the Phase 2 FEIR (final environmental-impact report) or not. It's crucial for those supporters who can attend this meeting to attend it. In any case also make sure to e-mail the Expo board members to tell them that you support the FEIR and ask them to certify it. Because NFSR is trying really hard so that FEIR doesn't get certified. They will come to the meeting in great numbers. The Expo board members are under intense pressure from the Westside opposition group Neighbors for Smart Rail not to approve the project and study and implement a subway through Rancho Park (between Overland Ave and Sepulveda Blvd). This is just a cover by NFSR and their actual goal is to make the project seriously over budget (by at least $300 million) so that it could be delayed for decades and/or killed altogether. There are also no subway portions along the entire Los Angeles - Santa Monica alignment and there is a wide abandoned railroad right-of-way in the Rancho Park segment, generously available for light-rail. This would also create discrepancies along the alignment and would lead to inequality claims. Last but not least, other regions in LA also need transit funds. In the next post, I'm including my letter to the Expo board, and following that I'm also including NFSR's call for arms.
Here are the e-mail addresses of the board members:markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov zev@bos.lacounty.gov Paul.Koretz@lacity.org councilmember.parks@lacity.org councilmember.perry@lacity.org councilmember.wesson@lacity.org councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org pam.oconnor@smgov.net scott.malsin@culvercity.org Expo Board MembersSupervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas 866 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, California 90012 markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov 213-974-2222 Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky 821 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, California 90012 zev@bos.lacounty.gov 213-974-3333 Councilmember Paul Koretz – CD 5 * 200 North Spring Street, Room 440 Los Angeles, California 90012 Paul.Koretz@lacity.org 213-473-7005 Councilmember Bernard Parks – CD 8 200 North Spring Street, Room 460 Los Angeles, California 90012 councilmember.parks@lacity.org 213-473-7008 Councilmember Jan Perry – CD 9 200 North Spring Street, Room 420 Los Angeles, California 90012 councilmember.perry@lacity.org 213-473-7009 Councilmember Herb Wesson, Jr. – CD 10 200 North Spring Street, Room 430 Los Angeles, California 90012 councilmember.wesson@lacity.org 213-473-7010 Councilmember Bill Rosendahl – CD 11* 200 North Spring Street, Room 415 Los Angeles, California 90012 councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org 213-473-7011 Councilmember Pam O'Connor City of Santa Monica 906 9th Street, #2 Santa Monica, California 90403 pam.oconnor@smgov.net 310-458-2749 Councilmember D. Scott Malsin City of Culver City 9770 Culver Boulevard Culver City, California 90232 scott.malsin@culvercity.org 310-398-3183 *Expo Board Alternate. Alternates will likely be asked to vote on the EIR, since it directly concerns their districts. Please contact them as well. SAVE THE DATE!On February 4, the Expo Authority Board will consider certification of the Final EIR and approval of the Expo Phase 2 project.
Demonstrate your support for Expo Phase 2 by attending this important meeting!
Put your Measure R dollars to work! Attending this meeting will ensure that construction begins soon.Thursday, February 4, 2010 2:00 p.m.
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room 381B 500 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012For questions or to RSVP, please call 213-922-3976.
Every voice counts!
Key changes in the Final EIR can be found at this link:
buildexpo.org/phase2_overview.php
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 22, 2010 14:07:28 GMT -8
Here is my own letter:
January 22, 2010
Dear Expo board member,
I’m a resident near the Expo Line tracks adjacent to Cheviot Hills and I work at the University of Southern California. I have been a strong supporter of the Expo Line project both personally and through Friends 4 Expo and Light-Rail for Cheviot, in which I have active roles. But I’m writing this letter as my personal comments.
Needless to say we have endured a long and difficult fight to bring this project to its current status, both for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 of the project now seems to have overcome all its obstacles, with a nice settlement reached in principle between Expo and LAUSD on Dorsey High, and Phase 2 has reached its very final planning milestone -- the board certification of the final environmental-impact report.
While we have been working very hard as Friends 4 Expo, Light-Rail for Cheviot, and individual residents to help in planning and building this line, unfortunately, a faction of residents in the Westside, referring to themselves as Neighbors for Smart Rail, who are strongly opposed to this project, have been working hard to launch a lawsuit, and they have been gathering signatures, petitions, and money through classic scare tactics, with only one goal in mind -- delaying the project for years or decades and/or killing it altogether.
The group’s name ‘Neighbors for “Smart Rail”’ is a cover meant for the totally naive. What is a worse cover is their slogan, “Build it right or not at all.” By that they mean they will reject anything other than an underground line.
Expo Line has always been envisioned as a light-rail line built on an existing railroad right-of-way, dating back to the very early days of Los Angeles and Santa Monica. It was never within the scope of the project to rebuild it as a subway.
In fact the MTA Reform and Accountability Act of 1998 had prohibited the use of certain local funds on subway construction, which greatly helped build the Metro Gold Line and the first phase of the Expo Line.
An underground option between Overland and Sepulveda has already been conceptually studied by the Expo Authority. Such an option would cost several hundreds of million dollars. Moreover, there is no underground segment in any other section of the line, other than a short trench near Figueroa St, which was deemed necessary because of the freeway off ramp there and determined to be cheaper than an elevated section in that very particular case, costing only about $50 million. In addition the construction impacts of an underground segment, which requires rather heavy machinery and construction, would be very severe and extensive.
An at-grade line will blend in beautifully with its surroundings in this Rancho Park segment, just like it does in the beautiful Gold Line, and the operation will be safe with minimal traffic impacts, as carefully studied by the Expo Authority in absolute collaboration with LADOT. There will also be no aesthetic impacts that would be caused by an elevated line. Riders will have a pleasant above-ground light-rail experience through the landscaped corridor, enjoying the nice weather in Southern California, easily transferring to the buses and shuttles at Westwood Boulevard or walking to Pico Blvd and Westside Pavilion, with no necessity for climbing stairs or waiting for elevators. This would make the Expo Line a landmark line for Los Angeles, in sharp contrast to underground subways of New York, where the weather is bad and the city is too overdeveloped above ground to put light-rail.
Last but not least, other regions in Los Angeles County are dying to have several hundreds of million dollars in funds to build or extend their own light-rail lines, anywhere from the Eastside to the Foothills to the South Bay.
Therefore, please do not let the territorial faction of a few neighborhood organizers in the Westside deny Los Angeles this long-overdue project. While they may have gathered signatures and petitions and they may show up to the coming board meeting in numbers, what is not disclosed is the many, many more, far outnumbering them, who support this project.
In conclusion I urge you and the other board members to unanimously certify the staff-recommended route through the existing railroad right-of-way adjacent to northern Palms and southern Cheviot Hills -- which includes the crucial Westwood Station -- and on Colorado Ave near the terminus. I would also like to thank the Expo Authority staff for doing an extensive and diligent work on the final environmental-impact report, which is now fully ready for certification as it is, and I’m looking forward to the six-month-long preliminary-engineering phase of the project, to be followed with a groundbreaking in September. This will allow the construction of the line to the sea to be substantially completed sometime in 2014.
Build it right -- above ground -- and build it right now,
~ Signed ~
And this is the NFSR's call for arms:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., the Exposition Construction Authority?s Board of Directors will vote to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Phase 2 light rail through our neighborhood. It is essential that we show up as a critical mass of taxpayers to oppose running 225 ton trains at street level, as often as every 2 1/2 minutes, 22 hours a day, across Overland, Westwood and Sepulveda.
This may be the last opportunity for public opinions to be included in the Expo Phase 2 administrative record - we need to stand strong together against the senseless and needless impacts to safety, traffic and quality of life in our neighborhood. The decision makers only respond to numbers - come and be counted!
The board meeting will be held in the Board of Supervisor?s hearing room on the third floor of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration located at 500 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90012. We need you there.
Neighbors For Smart Rail (NFSR), representing Cheviot Hills and other area homeowners' associations, is moving forward with preparations for this meeting. We are working with our attorneys to write community comments to the FEIR that will be presented at the hearing. You may chose to speak or not, but we need you to come. We need your help to show MTA, the Expo Board and the politicians that this community cares enough, even during these economically challenging times, to take off work to attend the meeting.
NFSR has arranged for a limited number of free and reduced price parking spots downtown and carpools are forming. If you can attend the meeting please let us know so we can reserve parking for you or find you a carpool.
NFSR will be holding a community meeting later in February to update the community on our long range plan to make sure that this community is properly mitigated from the negative impacts of Expo trains, which affect not only this area but the entire Westside.
We greatly appreciate those who have donated to this effort and we know money is tight, but attorneys cost money! Our review of the 8,000 plus pages of the FEIR tells us the only way we will be heard is through the legal system. As we move forward in the process we will need your continued financial commitment. Right now the Cheviot Homeowners' Association is matching your contributions so your tax-deductable contribution goes even further. You may contribute through PayPal by going to smartrail.org or you may donate by mail to NFSR, PO Box 64496, Los Angeles 90064.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kevin Hughes President, CHHA
Colleen Mason Heller CHHA Light Rail Chair Vice President, NFSR
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Post by rajacobs on Jan 23, 2010 19:51:57 GMT -8
Gokhan, Thank you for the material. I've sent out an email to all my Westside friends based on your first posting. I'll be sending a reminder using the info from your second as well. ...I urged the recipients to forward my letter to friends and they to theirs. I can't imagine that the opposition can generate support that rivals the intrinsic support that exists for moving forward NOW.
One of my recipients is a doctor; upon receipt she sent my letter (with your material) to her mailing list including friends, patients, and docs in West LA and another letter to the supervisors and council members.
I anticipate pro-Expoline folks gaining traction.
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 25, 2010 23:24:40 GMT -8
Thanks, rajacobs, and everyone else who is spreading the word out on Phase 2. Without our efforts the opposition would never let this project happen. I've just run into this rendering again, on which my then girlfriend and I had spent so much effort doing. The original photograph on which the rendering was done was also shot by me. I'm just putting it here to remind how beautiful this line is going to be. Click on the image or this link for full resolution.
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Post by rajacobs on Jan 25, 2010 23:53:27 GMT -8
Ten days until the meeting. What else can be done; is anyone organizing a publicity campaign to garner support?
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Post by Transit Coalition on Jan 26, 2010 8:09:46 GMT -8
Ten days until the meeting. What else can be done; is anyone organizing a publicity campaign to garner support? Well, sure that is idea that covers one aspect. I guarantee you that I've spoken to the LA Times editorial board about this and to the transportation beat reporter. There might be an editorial and a story. The question is how you personally can help. Can you write a letter of support? Can you take time and attend the critical meeting? Those two matters are what will make the difference.
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Post by darrell on Jan 26, 2010 11:58:25 GMT -8
What you can do is very important yet simple:
1. Come speak at the Expo Authority board meeting, 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 4th, in the Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room 381B (the big room facing Temple St.), 500 West Temple St. (at Grand Ave.), Los Angeles.
2. Write the board members as Gokhan listed above or with this email list (copy and paste these addresses because the email tag can only do one address; be sure no spaces are left from line wrapping):
councilmember.perry@lacity.org,councilmember.wesson@lacity.org,councilmember.parks@lacity.org,markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov,zev@bos.lacounty.gov,pam.oconnor@smgov.net,scott.malsin@culvercity.org,paul.koretz@lacity.org,councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org,phase2@exporail.net,mail@friends4expo.org
Our message is simple: in your own words, why the Expo Line is important to you personally and please support the Recommended Preferred Alternative, without delay.
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Post by darrell on Jan 28, 2010 8:32:40 GMT -8
From Friends 4 Expo: Act now for Expo Line phase 2! ________________________
We’re in the home stretch of the most important Expo Line decision since light rail was chosen in 2001 - but a few long-time opponents are trying to delay or kill its Phase 2 from Culver City to Santa Monica.
We need your help!
On February 4 the Expo Authority board will vote on the Phase 2 Final EIR (Environmental Impact Report), which they must approve for final design and construction of this critically-needed project to proceed.
The Board wants to hear from you, and you will influence their vote. Here's what you can do:
1. If at all possible come speak at the Expo Authority board meeting, 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 4th, in the Board of Supervisors’ Hearing Room 381B (the big room facing Temple St.), 500 West Temple St. (at Grand Ave.), Los Angeles.
2. Email the board members* in your own words, why the Expo Line is important to you personally and to please support the Recommended Preferred Alternative, without delay.
We've waited years for this alternative to horrible Westside traffic, that will serve this dense corridor's many residents, jobs, and recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities, plus provide landscaping and a bike path.
The opponents, after failing to detour the line from its straight path to Santa Monica, now demand unprecedented special treatment for one neighborhood under the guise of “Build it right or don’t build it.” But their prohibitively expensive, long deep tunnel beneath the existing railroad right-of-way has never been built on any modern U.S. light rail line and would threaten Expo’s completion.
We support consistent application of Metro's Grade Crossing Policy. The Final EIR’s extensive documentation found no significant traffic, safety, or noise impacts at its street crossings. It follows the safety standard of quad and pedestrian gates that have given the Pasadena Gold Line an excellent safety record, and gates are only down half the time that typical traffic signals are red.
The first half of the Expo Line is under construction only because thousands of people spoke up for light rail in 2001. Now is the time to speak one more time, to approve Expo’s phase 2 Final EIR without delay!
________________________
See the NEWS page at friends4expo.org for more, including the EMAIL LINK above and many phase 1 construction photos.
Welcome to those new to this email list! If you'd like to be added (or removed), please email mail@friends4expo.org . *Email list (copy and paste these addresses because the email tag here can only do one address; be sure no spaces are left from line wrapping; note Koretz's added-dot correction): councilmember.perry@lacity.org,councilmember.wesson@lacity.org,councilmember.parks@lacity.org,markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov,zev@bos.lacounty.gov,pam.oconnor@smgov.net,scott.malsin@culvercity.org,paul.koretz@lacity.org,councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org,phase2@exporail.net,mail@friends4expo.org
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 29, 2010 18:31:14 GMT -8
About 5 days are left to the final milestone meeting of the Expo Line. This is extremely critical. So, submit your comments to the Expo Board Members (using the above e-mail addresses) now; ask your friends to do so as well, and come and speak at the meeting if you can. If you don't, 20 years of efforts to build the Expo Line could be wasted.
Build it right -- above ground -- and build it right now!
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 2, 2010 13:13:02 GMT -8
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Post by metrocenter on Feb 3, 2010 6:19:46 GMT -8
BOARD MEETING TOMORROW! COME IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!
Unfortunately, I am in Austin TX on business through Friday, so I will not be there. I had secured the day off to be at this meeting, before I was called to travel for work. If I could fly back just for this meeting, believe me I would.
So I'm doing the next best thing: writing individualized emails to each of the board members. I encourage everybody else to do the same. Again, here is the list of voting members on the Expo Board:
"Herb Wesson, Jr." <councilmember.wesson@lacity.org>, "Scott Malsin" <scott.malsin@culvercity.org>, "Bernard C. Parks" <councilmember.parks@lacity.org>, "Mark Ridley-Thomas" <markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov>, "Zev Yaroslavsky" <zev@bos.lacounty.gov>, "Pam O’Connor" <pam.oconnor@smgov.net>, "Jan Perry" <councilmember.perry@lacity.org>
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Post by darrell on Feb 3, 2010 9:39:39 GMT -8
"Herb Wesson, Jr." <councilmember.wesson@lacity.org>, "Scott Malsin" <scott.malsin@culvercity.org>, "Bernard C. Parks" <councilmember.parks@lacity.org>, "Mark Ridley-Thomas" <markridley-thomas@bos.lacounty.gov>, "Zev Yaroslavsky" <zev@bos.lacounty.gov>, "Pam O’Connor" <pam.oconnor@smgov.net>, "Jan Perry" <councilmember.perry@lacity.org> Don't forget the alternates who will be voting in place of Parks and Perry, plus a copy for Expo staff: paul.koretz@lacity.org councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org phase2@exporail.net
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Post by darrell on Feb 3, 2010 11:26:35 GMT -8
Zev Yaroslavsky's blog post on Expo: All aboard Expo to the Westside February 2, 2010
This Thursday marks a turning point in the decades-long effort to bring mass rapid transit to the Westside of Los Angeles. That’s when I, along with my colleagues on the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority Board, will cast a crucial vote on extending the Expo Line from Culver City to Santa Monica.
I intend to vote yes, and here’s why.
The Westside has waited for decades to become part of the growing regional mass transit system of Los Angeles County. While transit lines have been built in downtown, Pasadena, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley and along the Century Freeway, the Westside’s public transit system is exclusively made up of street buses. The Expo Line will give commuters who work and live in the western part of L.A. County an alternative to sitting in their cars for up to 3 to 4 hours each day getting to and from work or school. For the first time since the legendary Red Car system was dismantled after World War II, the Westside will have mass rapid transit.
And Thursday’s vote is a key step to getting us there.
The Expo Board will consider the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for Phase 2 of the project, the section of the light rail that will run from Culver City to Santa Monica. We must approve the FEIR before we can award a design and construction contract for this long-awaited project. If approved, Phase 2 could begin some construction before the end of this year, with completion planned in 2015. The line’s ridership is estimated to be 64,000 a day by 2030.
The Expo Line in its entirety will connect downtown Los Angeles with Exposition Park/USC, Crenshaw, Culver City, Pico/Sepulveda, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The first phase, which runs between downtown and Culver City, is now under construction and working toward an opening next year.
The Expo Line has had its share of critics, with concerns raised about matters ranging from grade crossings, impact on neighborhoods and placement of the project’s maintenance yard to delays and noise during Phase 1 construction.
But I firmly believe that the FEIR has addressed these issues in great detail and that we can deliver a project that will reflect what our region wants and needs. Extensive analysis has been done to ensure that the Expo Line is built in a manner that is as respectful as possible of the communities through which it will run. New elevated grade separations have been recommended where appropriate. Those intersections include: Venice Boulevard, Bundy, Centinela, Pico-Gateway, Cloverfield/Olympic and Sawtelle. The remainder of the grade crossings will be at street level.
It’s significant to note that the overwhelming majority of the 9,000 comments received on the environmental impact report have been positive. State Senator Fran Pavley and Assembly members Mike Feuer and Julia Brownley also have voiced their support for the project. And the cities of Los Angeles, Culver City and Santa Monica have partnered with Expo to build it.
The $1.5 billion Expo Line is being funded largely through the Measure R half-cent sales tax that was approved by county voters in 2008. The project, coupled with the extension of the subway westward, also partially funded through Measure R, will bring much-needed mass rapid transit to the Westside.
All of us have waited a long time for this moment. Building the Expo Line and extending the subway to the Westside are among the reasons I helped write Measure R and fought so hard to get it passed. An effective rapid transit system will improve our quality of life. System users will save time and money while reducing wear and tear on body and soul.
Come and join us at the Hall of Administration at 2 p.m. Thursday, and let’s get this train moving.
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 4, 2010 18:45:31 GMT -8
Posting from iPhone. Phase 2 approved 6 - 0 this very minute. R-T left early and his representative abstained. Parks voted instead of Koretz. Details to follow.
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Post by John Ryan on Feb 4, 2010 18:51:58 GMT -8
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Thanks to everyone who helped get this passed!
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Post by metrocenter on Feb 4, 2010 20:03:42 GMT -8
Awesome news, this is a great day for L.A. rail. The board was convinced. I guess they noticed that the rail opponents really didn't have a very strong argument.
I doubt Ridley-Thomas' absence was just coincidence. Legislators are very good at avoiding reponsibility when an inconvenient vote comes up.
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 4, 2010 20:07:19 GMT -8
Too tired to post about this 4½-hour meeting. It was great that at the end none of the board members voted no.
Zev, Pam (alternate), Wesson, Parks, Rosendahl, Malsin: Yes R-T: abstained
After about 130 people spoke for and against the project, those against repeating NFSR's hypocritical motto -- for it but want subway -- there was drama. R-T had asked for the Metro Grade-Crossing Policy to be redone in 90 days and not to certify the project before then. This would in turn have required the EIR to be redone, which would very likely kill the project altogether. R-T's representative and Rosendahl voted Yes for it and the other five voted No. Therefore, this was very fortunately averted 5 - 2.
Then the EIR was certified 6 - 0 - 1. And the RPA (recommended preferred alternative -- right-of-way and Colorado and maintenance-facility buffer) was approved 7 - 0. The latter might have changed to 6 - 0 at the end with R-T's representative possibly having changed his mind.
It was very important to have this project certified with no "No" votes. And this was achieved. Now, the lawsuits stand no chance.
Throughout the meeting sat on the table in front of the board chair, almost blocking the view, a large, heavy box of comments by NFSR, so heavy that wheeled and carried with great difficulty with their heavyset lawyer and the tiny lady who is the head of their organization. Perhaps this was their nuclear device in display, lacking a fuse or enough critical mass, in a battle we have now basically won.
YouTube videos of the board members I shot might follow at one point.
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Post by kenalpern on Feb 4, 2010 21:04:53 GMT -8
R-T, I suspect, doesn't want to lose face when he tries for a full subway under Crenshaw.
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Post by metrocenter on Feb 4, 2010 21:14:38 GMT -8
NFSR is not done, I'm sure. But they've lost a major battle. They lost the political fight. Nobody took their side, that's huge.
What they have left is the courts. But legally they have no basis for a case, I think. Even less so than FixExpo, which at least could claim racial injustice. What is NFSR going to claim? Consistent application of Metro policy to their wealthy white neighborhood? LOL.
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Post by masonite on Feb 4, 2010 21:24:42 GMT -8
NFSR is not done, I'm sure. But they've lost a major battle. They lost the political fight. Nobody took their side, that's huge. What they have left is the courts. But legally they have no basis for a case, I think. Even less so than FixExpo, which at least could claim racial injustice. What is NFSR going to claim? Consistent application of Metro policy to their wealthy white neighborhood? LOL. A shutout is a great win no doubt. I am glad Ridley Thomas didn't vote no. I think he is in a tough position here given his Crenshaw views, and I agree with Ken that it is no accident he slipped out before the vote. The major hurdle is to get past the inevitable lawsuit from NFSR. Some may think they have no case, but I'm sure they can hire good lawyers and until their legal efforts are defeated I won't rest easy. I sure hope we see some minor construction start on Phase II later this year. That will really be the major milestone for 2010 (along with Foothill Gold starting construction too) as we have no major projects opening.
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Post by Transit Coalition on Feb 4, 2010 23:10:40 GMT -8
Los Angeles Times: Friday, February 5, 2010
Officials approve plans for Expo Line route on Westside
Some neighborhoods disagree with proposal and want parts of the route underground.
By Ari Bloomekatz
Los Angeles transportation officials on Thursday took a major step in bringing commuter rail to the Westside, approving plans for a route linking downtown L.A. to Santa Monica.
Officials hope to begin work later this year on phase two of the Expo Line, a nearly seven-mile link from downtown Culver City to the corner of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica's main business district. Phase one of Expo Line is already under construction from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City.
Extending the line to Santa Monica would be an important milestone in Los Angeles' ambitious rail-building campaign. It would also mark the farthest west a rail line has reached in several decades, serving a section of the county that is notorious for traffic problems.
"Every other part of Los Angeles has been served by mass public transportation," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who represents the Westside. "This part of town, this part of the county has waited a long time for this."
Transportation planners believe they will have the $1.5 billion in local and state money to build it.
And although there is broad support for the extension, some neighborhood residents have concerns about portions of the plan.
Some homeowners say the plan for the route approved Thursday is unsafe and will create traffic problems, particularly a stretch near homes in Cheviot Hills as well as areas near Sepulveda Boulevard and Overland Avenue.
Those residents insist that at least one portion of the line should be built underground, saying that would make the route safer for motorists and pedestrians. They also argue that the underground route would improve traffic flow.
Robert P. Silverstein, an attorney representing a coalition of Westside homeowners' associations called Neighbors for Smart Rail, said his clients support extending the rail line but feel strongly it can be made better.
"I want to be clear that my client is not opposed to the project, but is opposed to it being built without below grade, grade separation between Overland and Sepulveda," he said at Thursday's public hearing of the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority board. "Build it, but build it right."
The Expo Authority, which is building the line, said a subway along that stretch is unnecessary. Building a subway between Westwood Boulevard and Overland Avenue would add about $224 million to the project's cost.
Some speakers on Thursday agreed -- and urged the authority to approve the plans for the route as is.
Sarah Hays, co-chair of the group Light Rail for Cheviot, told the board that she was in favor of approving the plans for the route.
"I live . . . less than half a mile from the [rail] right of way, and I work within half a mile of the 4th Street Station in Santa Monica, so I would use this line," she said.
After the board approved the plans, she added: "It means we can move forward -- that we are one step closer to having an alternative to sitting in traffic."
The MTA has for decades wanted to build a subway along Wilshire Boulevard through Beverly Hills and into Santa Monica. But the high price -- several billion dollars -- has stalled the effort. And that leaves the Expo Line as the only viable plan right now for an east-west rail link from downtown to Santa Monica.
Opponents of the plans approved Thursday are threatening to file a lawsuit that could delay construction of the second phase, which officials hope to open in 2015.
The line is being mostly built on an abandoned Southern Pacific right of way and was originally touted by planners as a cost-effective and fast route for rail service to the Westside.
But the first 8.6-mile link from downtown Los Angeles to Venice and Robertson boulevards is already more than a year behind schedule and is more than $220 million over its original budget of $640 million.
Some delays are due to safety issues near schools. Activists have complained that the first phase's route poses a risk to students at Dorsey High School and Foshay Learning Center and have called for improvements, including running the line above or below street level.
That issue is still unresolved and the state Public Utilities Commission is deciding which safety improvements are needed near Dorsey High, and those improvements could be costly.
Furthermore, the Expo Authority and the contractor for the first phase of the project are at odds over some of the delays and are wrestling over who is to blame. That could further raise the project's phase one cost depending on how the dispute is resolved.
Rick Thorpe, chief executive of the Expo Authority, said that is why officials are using a different contracting process for the second phase.
Thorpe said that for the second phase, two contracts will be awarded for design, and then one of those same companies will also receive the contract for construction. That way the contractor is responsible for the plans and the follow-through, Thorpe said.
Officials said they hope to open the first part of phase one, from downtown Los Angeles to Crenshaw Boulevard, sometime this year and estimate that the second part of phase one will open about a year later.
Thorpe said the timeline of the first phase will not affect the second phase of the project because the sources of funding are different.
But fully funding the line is not a sealed deal because sales tax revenues are lower than expected, there is a state budget crisis and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has projected a historic $251.3-million operating deficit in the 2011 fiscal year.
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 5, 2010 0:50:40 GMT -8
When Neighbors for Smart Rail first formed, their motto was "We are for light-rail, but we are for light-rail on Venice." At that time there was no mention of underground. Now, their motto is "We are for light-rail, but we are for light-rail underground." Honestly, if they had proposed an underground alignment, they would be against it as well. In fact, if the city spent $250 million to put the light-rail underground there, they would also rezone Rancho Park as multiresidential and commercial. NFSR probably knows that and it would be the most dreaded outcome. Their underground motto is an hypocrisy aimed at indefinitely delaying the line.
It was amazing today when dozens of NFSR people spoke and said exactly the same thing: Please don't misunderstand us -- we are for light-rail but light-rail done right, built underground. It reminded me of little school children whose parents make them memorize certain things and recite them in public. Cute.
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Post by Gokhan on Feb 5, 2010 1:09:03 GMT -8
And thanks to Mr. Yaroslavsky, who gave an excellent speech. I'm amazed by his knowledge and perspective on light-rail.
And thanks to Mr. Parks, who was extremely courageous not to yield his seat to Mr. Koretz. He is a truly good man.
Also thanks to Mr. Rosendahl, who voted Yes for Mr. Ridley-Thomas motion not to approve Phase 2 but also voted Yes for the next motion to approve Phase 2.
Also goes thanks to Mr. Wesson for conducting an excellent meeting as the board chair and wholeheartedly supporting the line.
Other thanks to Mr. Malsin, who made it clear that they want this line to go to Santa Monica.
And thanks to all the board members, who unanimously approved the next motion -- right-of-way and Colorado as the preferred alignment.
And, not to forget, thanks to Mr. Thorpe, Ms. Bricker, Ms. Born, Ms. Collins, Mr. Polechronis, and all the other Expo staff for the beautiful Phase 2 plans.
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Post by metrocenter on Feb 5, 2010 6:38:26 GMT -8
I'm going to start a new group: NFHDOCH - Neighbors For Hyper-Densification Of Cheviot Hills.
If CH residents will be willing to accept new density in their neighborhood, including several hundred new apartment complexes and maybe several large office buildings - then maybe we can talk subway for Cheviot.
Or maybe they can pay for the subway themselves? Is it worth 1/4 billion dollars now?
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Post by metrocenter on Feb 5, 2010 6:57:35 GMT -8
BTW, I couldn't help but notice the price tag has risen dramatically, from the already-high $1 billion to the now exorbitant $1.5 billion. What happened?
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Adrian Auer-Hudson
Junior Member
Supporter of "Expo Light Rail - Enabler for the Digital Coast".
Posts: 65
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Post by Adrian Auer-Hudson on Feb 5, 2010 8:56:30 GMT -8
This is wonderful news. This weekend I intend to celebrate with a good bottle of wine. Congratulations all.
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Post by JerardWright on Feb 5, 2010 9:02:00 GMT -8
I'm going to start a new group: NFHDOCH - Neighbors For Hyper-Densification Of Cheviot Hills. If CH residents will be willing to accept new density in their neighborhood, including several hundred new apartment complexes and maybe several large office buildings - then maybe we can talk subway for Cheviot. Or maybe they can pay for the subway themselves? Is it worth 1/4 billion dollars now? Makes me wonder the same thing along Crenshaw Corridor where they are suggesting placing it underground between Leimert Park and 59th/Crenshaw. Would the community accept new density and I'm not talking Hong Kong density, I'm more in line of Parisian density with a steady row and clusters of 5 story mixed use development 1/4 mile away from the subway alignment.
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Post by JerardWright on Feb 5, 2010 9:05:26 GMT -8
BTW, I couldn't help but notice the price tag has risen dramatically, from the already-high $1 billion to the now exorbitant $1.5 billion. What happened? Two pieces of the cost increase; 1) It's based on year of expenditure dollars of 2015. This has been consistent with other lines once they are nearer to construction because it's adding on 5 years worth of inflation. 2) They are looking at purchasing additional vehicles to operate the line which will drive up the cost.
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Post by Transit Coalition on Feb 5, 2010 9:13:47 GMT -8
This is wonderful news. This weekend I intend to celebrate with a good bottle of wine. Congratulations all. Hint, hint... What better way to celebrate than making a Tax Deductible Donation to The Transit Coalition? The fight has just started. The NIMBY's have a legal war chest that is completely unbelievable. Your gift will help us sustain the fight.
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Post by spokker on Feb 5, 2010 13:06:18 GMT -8
One of the best things Bart does is network. You should see him in action at these meetings. He arrives looking dapper in a black suit (as opposed to someone like me, who looks like a homeless guy who is pro-transit) and starts greeting anybody who should be greeted, like politicians, reporters and other advocates. He gets the pro-transit literature into the hands of the people who need to read it.
He's built up an image of someone who knows what he's talking about. That's why he's got the ears of politicians and the media who are going to listen to what he has to say.
Not every battle is a victory, and I don't personally agree with him on every little thing (the great thing about this organization is the multitude of opinions allowed, unlike the BRU), but based on what I have seen he is very effective at what he does.
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