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CC - (1) Adoption of a Position in Support of Accelerating the Northern Extension of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line; and (2) Authorization to the City Manager to Prepare and Submit a Letter of Support to Metro.
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Meeting Date: June 25, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: Philip Washington, Metro; Westside Cities Council of Governments CEO; City of West Hollywood Governmental Affairs Liaison; and (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/20/18);
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (06/19/18)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) adopt a position in support of accelerating the Northern Extension of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line; and (2) authorize the City Manager to prepare and submit a letter of support to Metro.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Metro’s work to connect the Metro Crenshaw/LAX and Green Line light rail tracks was completed in late March 2018. According to Metro, when the Green Line opened in 1995, the plan was to extend the tracks north toward Los Angeles International Airport - LAX. The newly built aforementioned junction will allow Metro to move trains between the Green Line and Crenshaw/LAX Line for better rail connections. After the Crenshaw/LAX Line opens in fall 2019, an additional station will be constructed at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street, where rail riders can transfer to the Automated People Mover that will ascend above traffic to the LAX terminals. The people mover is being built by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), and together with Metro’s trains, will provide a way to get to the nation’s second-busiest airport without having to drive.
The Crenshaw Line, which is currently under construction, would serve the Expo Line at the Crenshaw Line Station. The Crenshaw Line northern extension would create a significant north-south connection from LAX and Inglewood (the new home of the Los Angeles Rams) through West Hollywood to Hollywood & Highland, where it would connect with the Red Line. This line would provide rail transit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Hollywood & Highland, Universal Studios and beyond; a map of the project’s alternative alignments is provided in Attachment 1.
On May 7, 2018 the City Council of the City of West Hollywood adopted No. 18-5055 in support of accelerating the Northern Extension of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line (Attachment 2). On May 17, 2018, the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG) Board of Directors learned of the City of West Hollywood’s efforts to support the acceleration of the project and its commitment to pursuing additional funding for the project. One of Metro Board’s next steps to advance the project is to initiate a full project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) along with other technical studies to get the project shovel-ready for acceleration.
Following the WSCCOG Board Meeting, West Hollywood staff followed up with the City Manager’s Office with a request that the City of Culver City draft a letter of support for the acceleration of the Northern Extension of the Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line as demonstrated by their adoption of Resolution No. 18-5055. On May 22, 2018, Vice Mayor Sahli-Wells, who also serves as the City’s appointed representative to the WSCCOG Board, received City Council consensus to agendize a discussion about the efforts of the City of West Hollywood to get the Crenshaw Line extended.
The Northern Extension of the Crenshaw/LAX Line provides an additional resource to those who travel to and through Culver City. Providing increased access in a north-south alignment through the Expo Line’s Crenshaw Station would benefit those who currently use a wide range of mobility options in Culver City.
The City Council-adopted Legislative and Policy Platform supports efforts to:
• Maintain and increase funding for transportation operations, programs and projects throughout the City including public transit, alternative transportation, bicycle and pedestrian projects.
• Enhance safety, reduce congestion, and increase efficient circulation in the City.
• Encourage the use of innovative, efficient, and renewable alternative fuels for vehicles.
• Increase funding for regional rail projects.
The City’s support for this project would be consistent with the Legislative and Policy platform statements. Additionally, in the past, the members of the WSCCOG demonstrated their support for the construction of Metro’s Expo Line.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact for the City Council to approve this request.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2018-06-25 - ATT Crenshaw/LAX Northern Extension Map
2. 2018-06-25 - ATT City of West Hollywood Resolution No. 18-5055
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Support Metro’s acceleration of the Crenshaw/LAX Northern Extension Line; and
2. Direct the City Manager to prepare and submit the City’s letter of support to Metro; or
3. Provide alternate direction as deemed appropriate.