Community Corner

Metro Hearing: BH Argues No Active Faults, Presents Route Alternatives

Experts hired by the Beverly Hills Unified School District called Metro's Westside Subway Extension studies flawed. The city of Beverly Hills presented alternative options for reaching a station on Constellation Boulevard in Century City.

Beverly Hills presented its case Thursday against tunneling under the city’s high school during a with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors.

Metro has proposed routing the Westside Subway Extension under Beverly Hills High School to reach a station at Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars in Century City. That plan is opposed by Beverly Hills city officials and school board members, but supported by some neighborhood and business groups in Century City.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who chairs the Metro board, said the purpose of the hearing was to allow Beverly Hills the chance to present evidence and testimony regarding its opposition to tunneling under BHHS. The Metro board  on the final placement of the Century City station to consider Beverly Hills' objections. 

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The hearing was not held to determine the final location for the Century City stop, which may be finalized at Metro's next regular meeting May 24 or at a later date, according to Villaraigosa.

Here are five major points that Beverly Hills' representatives argued before the Metro board: 

Find out what's happening in Beverly Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  1. The West Beverly Hills Liniment is not an active fault, which contradicts studies commissioned by Metro.
  2. Faults in the Santa Monica Boulevard area are likely inactive, but Metro should conduct trenching studies there before determining that the location is not safe for a subway stop.
  3. Beverly Hills has submitted three alternative options for a Century City station at Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars that would not involve tunneling under BHHS. These stations would conform to Metro's standards for subway routes.
  4. Metro does not have conclusive data, or correct data, that is necessary to rule out Santa Monica Boulevard as a safe option for a subway station.
  5. The city of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Unified School District may file a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) challenge should the Metro board proceed with plans to tunnel under BHHS.

Beverly Hills concluded its arguments after the scheduled end-time for the meeting, with no time remaining for public comment. The public comment portion of the hearing was postponed until Metro's next board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 24.

Check back with Patch later for more news and analysis from the public hearing. We are also working to get more details on the alternative subway routes proposed by the city of Beverly Hills.

To read the live blog of the hearing, click .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here