Comments on: LTCC Opposes Regional Connector Build Alternatives

By: Damien Goodmon

Damien Goodmon — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:50:46 +0000

I know that several local stakeholders including that major residential building did not receive notice of the project’s meetings – something Metro has admitted to. And I’m sure many knew about the project, but I know the meetings and presentations regarding the impacts weren’t nearly as comprehensive as those delivered at LTCC recently. Remember, we’re dealing with people who don’t spend their entire day reading EIRs or studying rail transit.

Nonetheless, I fully admit to being an outsider, but I am based in Leimert Park, a similar cultural center constantly struggling to survive, with strong local concerns about preservation and economic development that compliments our assets, and doesn’t diminish them.

I don’t know what drives the decision making process in Little Tokyo or at the LTCC, and it’s not relevant to my point for me to speculate. I do know from a simple transit and construction standpoint that both options were unacceptable, and I stood up at a DTC meeting over a year ago when the 1st/Alameda crossing was unveiled and said in the microphone with the attention of all of the staff: “If this is built someone at Metro should be fired.” Others in the audience were just as critical, albeit not as frank. Solely from a transit perspective, the junction is too important and the community impact is too sensitive for such a horrible design to have remained on the drawing board this long. But it did.

Regardless of what happened, I think Metro’s point that they’re still in the conceptual phase should remain at the forefront of consciousness. I also think that given how far Metro had gotten along with the 1st/Alameda crossing a strong signal was needed, and it was delivered. Furthermore, I think any concern that this vote was the product of any anti-transit/pro-car sentiment was dismissed as the group proposed a 5th option.

Whether desired or not, they signaled to Metro a willingness to accept, if not embrace, the DTC passing through Little Tokyo if appropriately built and mitigated. And according to Metro staff, they’re taking serious previous proposals for an underground train crossing at 1st/Alameda. So the LTCC’s decision and the strength has already proven wise. Today things are on the table at Metro that prior to the vote was not.

By: Streetsblog Los Angeles » Today’s Headlines

Streetsblog Los Angeles » Today’s Headlines — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:36 +0000

[...] Little Tokyo Community Council Opposes Regional Connector Alternatives (Rafu Shimpo) [...]

By: Alek F

Alek F — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:19:21 +0000

What a pathetic display of NIMBY’ism!!
Little Tokyo, you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Because of NIMBY’s and selfish approaches such as demonstrated by you, our mass transit is sooo behind the rest of the world… Literally.
Well, Little Tokyo, I hope you will suffer from lack of transit alternatives because of your dumb decision of opposing Regional Connector, and I hope you suffer by your car smog and clumsy buses in your neighborhood.
(And – guess what! When the Regional Connector is build – and I have no doubts it will – you will be envying the rest of us for using a convenient rail alternatives, while you will be confined to your pathetic cars and buses! Good luck to you!)

By: Russell Brown

Russell Brown — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:41:53 +0000

I also agree with the above comment. If anyone has been to Tokyo, they would see how mass transit and density changes cities. This can also be used as a great tool for historic preservation. I agree that an underground station is the best solution.

Somehow the integrity of Little Tokyo is defending a parking lot, Starbucks and a few other non-descript fast food outlets? How is this part of the master vision for Little Tokyo? The manager of a parking lot is leading the transit discussion of the community?

The best way to keep Little Tokyo vibrant is strict design guidelines with higher density growth adjacent to the village. All of this connected with transportation linkages that bring customers without cars and parking.

Presentations have been made to the community for over 2 years. Not sure where folks were as this went through the community process. Downtown LA Neighborhood Council had discussions and presentations on the options and process 2 years ago.
There may still be time to resolve this but this would have been so much easier if this had happened 18 months ago. I am hopeful that with leadership and flexibility, solutions may be available.
But I feel that a huge part of this is some who expect that the community should stay low density with no growth or no retail competition. The discussion of no retail competition, lead the design of the Block 8 discussion.
A few years ago, little Tokyo seemed to be in need of significant help. It is now on a great return and is an incredible resource and community that needs preservation and continued economic activity. Well- planned transit is that key. Many new customers without the need for more and more parking and asphalt are a big part of that solution. Let’s make sure that embracing the rest of the county transit linkages is seen as an amazing opportunity and not try to protect Little Tokyo by keeping it isolated from those changes.

By: James Fujita

James Fujita — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:18:32 +0000

While I agree with the Little Tokyo Community Council that an underground station underneath the Nikkei Center would be better than an at-grade crossing for the Regional Connector, I am also concerned that the LTCC voted to oppose both of the MTA’s proposals.

The LTCC could have expressed their support for an underground station without cutting off any chance of an at-grade crossing at First/Alameda. What will happen if the MTA decides that an underground station is not feasible?

Daryl Garibay, as the owner of Advanced Parking Systems, obviously has a vested interest in making sure that people continue to drive to Little Tokyo and park in his parking lots.

However, anyone who has attempted to visit Little Tokyo during the summer months knows that driving downtown can be a huge hassle. The Regional Connector will allow visitors to avoid the traffic congestion and parking problems that Little Tokyo has.

I would love to see an underground station at the Nikkei Center, perhaps with the sort of underground subway station mall that you see in Tokyo.

But I also think that the community needs to give more consideration to the other plans that the MTA has drawn up.