Politics & Government

Mayor Plans to Introduce Motion Opposing Westside Extension Under Beverly Hills High

John Mirisch says he wants to refine the council's position on the issue.

Newly elected Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch confirmed Tuesday that he plans to introduce a resolution at the April 11 City Council meeting to "refine" the city's position on the Westside Subway Extension.

According to Mirisch, the resolution will state that the council's support for the project is contingent upon the subway route not running under Beverly Hills High School, as is currently planned.

He said that will make it different than the motion passed last year by the council that simply condemned the plan.

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

Mirisch also said a previous council had also once voted to support the project, but that was before the planned route was known. 

Mirisch said he preferred a stop along Little Santa Monica Boulevard, pointing to state data showing it is geologically feasible, contrary to what Metropolitan Transit Authority board members have claimed.

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

Mirisch, a Beverly Hills High School alumnus, first brought up the possibility of the resolution Wednesday during his installation.

(See video above.)

He called on Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich from the stage to help facilitate meetings with Metro board members who might support a rerouting of the project.

Antonovich, who swore in Mirisch as mayor, seemed inclined to help.

Mirisch told Beverly Hills Patch he has several reasons for prioritizing the issue: (1) minimizing restrictions of future uses of the high school property, (2) creating better access for Beverly Hills subway riders, and (3) reducing Metro's costs for constructing the stop.


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