Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2024
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS HAHN, SOLIS, AND DUTRA
Southeast LA Cultural Center Connectivity and Access
The soon-to-be-renamed West Santa Ana Branch light-rail line is moving ahead, with a final environmental document set to be considered by the Metro Board in the coming months. When fully constructed, this project will travel through and near a dozen cities from Artesia in Southeast LA County all the way to LA Union Station.
When the Board is asked to approve the final environmental document for the line’s initial operating segment, they will also be asked to approve first-/last-mile plans for each of the nine stations on this segment. Each of these plans seeks to make the new light-rail line as accessible as possible for as many people as possible, whether they arrive by car, bus, bike, or on foot. These plans are currently being developed by Metro in collaboration with each of the corridor cities and LA County.
Prior Board direction (Files 2022-0258 and 2023-0104) ensures that qualifying first-/last-mile investments apply toward jurisdictions’ 3% local contribution requirements, as credit against their overall obligation.
The County of Los Angeles will be constructing a Southeast LA (SELA) Cultural Center along the LA River, on what is currently an 8.6-acre County Public Works site, located just south of Imperial Highway, about two-thirds of a mile from the future Gardendale Station. The SELA Cultural Center will be a world-class cultural destination, with several visual arts galleries, a music performance hall, education facilities, workshop spaces, a culinary arts café, and gardens.
The SELA Cultural Center is expected to attract constituents from across Southeast LA and beyond, raising transportation and access considerations that could be addressed in part through the future light-rail line and will also require additional planning and coordination with agencies at the state and local level.
Subject
SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST LA CULTURAL CENTER CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESS MOTION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Motion by Directors Hahn, Solis, and Dutra that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to plan for transportation and access for the future SELA Cultural Center, including:
A. First-/last-mile efforts to be included in future plans for Gardendale Station, including any unique funding opportunities linked to transit and the arts; and,
B. Multi-jurisdictional coordination to address future access to the SELA Cultural Center, including Metro, LA County Public Works, the California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and applicable local jurisdictions.
We further direct the CEO to report back on the above directives in 120 days.