Councilmember Presses for Metro to Arts District

During a temporary one-day appointment to a City of Los Angeles seat on the Metro Board yesterday, Councilmember Tom LaBonge took the opportunity to press for a Red and Purple Line extension that he has long believed would help to revitalize the Downtown Arts District. The extension would capitalize on an existing rail spur to the Red Line maintenance yard, which is situated in that area. It would therefore require no new tunneling or track installation.
The councilmember’s verbal motion directs Metro CEO Arthur Leahy to report back in 90 days on the feasibility, ridership and cost of extending the Red and Purple Line service from the current terminus at Union Station south to 6th Street. The motion was referred to the March meetings of two board committees, the Planning and Programming Committee and the Operations Committee.
“This is a no-brainer,” the Councilmember said. “The track is already there. It would help bring people to the lofts, galleries and restaurants in the Arts District and connect SCI-Arc (Southern California Institute of Architecture) to the rest of the city.”
The Councilmember said the train platform could be situated on 6th Street or near the existing rail yard on 3rd St. If approved and constructed, it would help invigorate the area, ease traffic congestion and shine fresh light on downtown’s rich and diverse cultural resources.