A meeting with Metro's Regional Connector project manager is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm at the Little Tokyo Library on 203 S. Los Angeles St. Love thy Korean neighbor and move on:
The folks at Metro are planning on building a Regional Connector that will connect the train lines coming from Culver City to Union Station. So one of the plans is for this regional connector to go underground as it goes through downtown from the Westside, go East underground along Second Street and connect with the Gold Line extension on First and Alameda (connects Pasadena with East L.A. and Monterey Park).
Well, one of the problems with this proposal is that it plans to come up in the block where Office Depot, Señor Fish, Weiland's, Izayoi and other restaurants are currently at. Which basically means goodbye Office Depot, Señor Fish, Weiland's, Izayoi and those restaurants. Oh yeah, goodbye to Starbucks too.
I drew a map because I can't post Metro's renderings without their permission. It's rather crude but I hope it gives people a good idea of what the implications for Little Tokyo are.
Another concern that I and others have is the amount of traffic that will flow through First and Alameda with this Regional Connector proposal. Metro estimates that there will be one train passing through every 2 to 3 minutes. Traffic along Alameda will be routed underneath instead of the other way around.
In a LTCC Planning and Preservation Committee meeting a few months ago, Metro planners unveiled this as their most favored option for several reasons:
- Convenience: the Regional Connector will allow folks traveling from Culver City to travel to Pasadena or East L.A./Monterey Park and vice versa to stay on the train without having to get off the train and transfer to another train.
- The current Gold Line extension that they're building at First and Alameda is in progress already and this plan would best accomodate the current development. (I suggested having the train remain underground and come above ground near Alameda and Temple where the current Metro line bridge is, but they said that this would mean tearing up the tracks that have already been laid)
Will Nishi's day care center be affected with the traffic? How are they going to prevent kids from sneaking into the Metro opening? Build fences? Can someone say ... internment camp?
Oooooooh, no he didn't.
I'm not sure this meeting is public or not, but I think people should show up en masse anyways. There is a concept of building a complex above the Metro exit so that it would look better. Another option a few months ago was to bring the Metro along Temple. I think L.T. should push for more options.
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8 comments
thanks for the informative post. i'm a little torn on this issue (being an advocate of mass transit) but also someone who has a lot at stake in LT.
If it *had* to be in little tokyo, then I can't think of a better place than starbucks and office depot, eventhough ... although my two favorite eats are also there. they just seem to lack any historical significance relative to the other areas in Little Tokyo (The structure can't be more than 7 years old). But I'm sure there are other places that I can't think of right now that would be more appropriate.
I never thought I would become one, but leaning towards being a NIMBYist on this issue
Does anyone know what the alternative plans were to this one?
Again thanks for the post and the wonderful chart.
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Here's a link to a few of the renderings posted on blogdowntown:
http://www.blogdowntown.com/2008/05/3323-renders-show-reimagined-1st--alameda
Several alternatives were narrowed down by the MTA to a final two: this one and an at-grade line on Temple Street with a stop at the Go-For-Broke monument. Apparently the MTA is deciding to drop the analysis of the Temple Street route and to move forward with the route that they have always preferred from the beginning.
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 4:54 PM
From reading the comments on the blogdowntown entry about the connector, a big majority support the connector. While I'm a believer in mass transit, I think the connector is terrible for Little Tokyo.
You can get from Pasadena to Long Beach now, you just need to transfer. When I lived in big Tokyo, I would sometimes need to take three subways to get to my final destination. How often will people need to take that trip anyway?
I would rather see MTA correct it's biggest mistake and connect the light rail to the airport. Or spend the $650 million - $800 million cost for the connector to finish the Red Line subway down Wilshire to Santa Monica.
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Like astrobuddha I have no affinity for the Office Depot building -- I dislike the design and siting of the building and its surface parking lot. Imo one silver lining in the MTA's plans is the "do-over" opportunity for this half of the block. The issues I have with the MTA's plans are the demolition of the Weiland's and Sr. Fish buildings; the traffic congestion this plan will likely create at Alameda and 1st Streets; and the potential to create a greater divide between the east and west sides of Alameda. On the other hand a station at Los Angeles and 2nd Streets would be beneficial to LT and a subway in general might bring more visitors to LT than a trolley on Temple.
Posted on August 1, 2008 at 9:16 PM
This is the first time I've heard of this. Little Tokyo is the only part of downtown LA that doesn't smell like pee. This is very horrible.
Posted on August 2, 2008 at 7:59 PM
It is a good idea and it is is good for the city and for Little Tokyo. There needs to be more transit options like this. Plus it will give more people easier access to LT. It is a good idea all around.
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 8:22 AM
You forgot a very important detail, that Alameda Street will be below grade so that traffic would be reduced significantly.
Besides one less Starbucks is always a good thing.
Posted on December 24, 2008 at 8:58 PM
According to your drawn map, the new route will be under 2nd St. Then what will happen to all the shops along that street? I really depend on Kouraku being there when I need to eat after 11PM
Posted on March 31, 2009 at 3:18 PM
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