Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: RAIL STATION NAME FOR WESTSIDE PURPLE (D LINE) EXTENSION, SECTION 2 (CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS)
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
ADOPT the staff recommendation for the official and operational station name for the City of Beverly Hills station on Metro Rail’s Purple (D Line) Extension Section 2:
• Official Station Name - Beverly Dr
• Operational Station Name - Beverly Dr
Issue
ISSUE
Metro is procuring signage and other permanent station identification materials for the Westside Purple (D Line) Extension Project, Section 2 station. As construction is fully underway, an official and operational station name that is consistent with Metro’s Property Naming Policy needs to be adopted by the Board to enable Metro’s contractor to produce wayfinding and station signage for the new station.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Board-approved Property Naming Policy revised in 2017 states that rail stations will be named in a simple and straightforward way to assist customers in navigating the system and the region. The policy states that names must be brief enough for quick recognition and retention, and must be based primarily on geographic location, referring to a nearby street or freeway, a well-known destination or landmark, a community or district name, or a city name. The policy also states that single names for stations are preferable, and that if multiple names are used, they are to be separated by a slash.
The policy further indicates that properties may have a Board-adopted official name and a shorter operational name; the official name is used in Board documents and legal notices, while the operational name may be used more commonly in signage and customer materials.
In 2018, Metro and the City of Beverly Hills reached a settlement agreement on several outstanding issues related to Purple (D) Line Extension Project Section 2 construction. The settlement Memorandum of Agreement states, “In recognition of the City’s interest in neighborhood identity, the LACMTA agrees that it will not name a rail/subway station in the City without the City Council’s Consent.”
Discussion
DISCUSSION
During the planning phase, a provisional name for the station was developed using the neighborhood geography (Wilshire/Rodeo), which continued through the construction phase. In accordance with Metro’s Property Naming Policy, in late 2022, Metro Community Relations began soliciting suggestions for permanent station names from community stakeholders, including the City of Beverly Hills, residents, and commercial stakeholders, such as the business improvement district and the chamber of commerce. This outreach effort was to create a permanent station name to be used during the operation of this extension of the Purple Line.
Fourteen stakeholder briefings were hosted, during which staff reviewed the Board’s Property Naming Policy and obtained feedback. In addition to these briefings, stakeholders were invited to submit station name recommendations. Staff reviewed the publicly submitted station names to ensure consistency with Metro’s Property Naming Policy, and a survey of Metro riders was conducted for further input.
On October 3, 2023, Metro presented the proposed station name, “Wilshire/Beverly Dr.” to the Beverly Hills City Council. At the meeting, the Beverly Hills City Council received public comment and a presentation from representatives of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, who strongly opposed the proposed “Wilshire/Beverly Dr” station name. Ultimately, the Beverly Hills City Council did not consent to the “Wilshire/Beverly Dr.” station name, as recommended by Metro staff, and instead conveyed their support for the name “Beverly Drive.”
The ”Beverly Dr” name is consistent with Metro’s Property Naming Policy in that it: a) reflects the station’s general location relative to the entire transit system without duplication, b) provides specific information about the property’s location relative to the surrounding area, c) acknowledges the communities and neighborhoods serviced by the stations and stops, and d) is simple, short, easily recognizable, and appropriate for system signage and mapping. The recommended station name is also consistent with the Metro and City of Beverly Hills Memorandum of Agreement. Should the board adopt the recommended station name, new and existing transit users will find the new station easy to locate and use.
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Adoption of this name does not affect the incidence of injuries or healthful conditions for riders or employees. Therefore, approval will have no impact on safety.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of the station name incurs no additional financial impact to Purple (D Line) Extension Project Section 2.
Impact to Budget
The proposed funding source is the Purple (D Line) Extension Section 2 project budget. Purple (D Line) Extension Section 2 project budget is funded by Measure R 35% Bond, which is not eligible for bus and rail operating expenses but is eligible for bus and rail capital expenses.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may direct staff to select a different name for the station. This is not recommended because the recommended name is consistent with the Metro/City of Beverly Hills settlement agreement and is consistent with Metro’s station naming policy.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The recommended board action will benefit all Metro riders utilizing the new station and navigating the Metro system by improving customer experience. Outreach was conducted through community meetings, briefings with key stakeholder organizations and two public surveys of potential riders and existing riders.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it provides transparency and information related to the naming of one of Metro’s new transit stations. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT. 
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports Metro’s goal of providing high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. This recommendation also supports Metro’s goal of enhancing communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Both goals are supported because, when completed, the Purple (D Line) Extension subway will make travel between downtown Los Angeles and the Westside easier and more convenient for riders, especially riders in underserved communities, who do not have access to a vehicle or cannot carpool or afford rideshare services.
Adding seven new stations to Metro’s ever-expanding transit network, the Westside Purple (D Line) Extension subway will provide all Metro transit riders a reliable connection between downtown LA and Westside communities, including West LA and Westwood.
Adoption of the permanent station names will make navigating the stations of the Purple (D Line) Extension simpler by using names that are easily recognizable and that reflect the stations’ locations relative to known communities and familiar neighborhoods.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will work with the Westside Purple (D Line) Extension, Section 2 project manager and contractor to implement the station name as adopted by the Board.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Property Naming Policy
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Anthony Crump, Executive Officer, Community Relations, (213) 418-3292
Yvette Rapose, Deputy Chief, Customer Experience, (213) 418-3154
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Jennifer Vides, Chief Customer Experience Officer, (213) 922-4060
