L.A. Times Editorial Calls for BH to Stop Fighting Subway

Under the headline "Clear the Tracks, Beverly Hills," an April 21 editorial in the Los Angeles Times says "the city of Beverly Hills is putting up costly and pointless roadblocks" to the Westside Subway Extension:

In its final environmental report on the subway extension, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority wisely recommends putting a station at the intersection of Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, an ideal site because it's a short walk from the station to a cluster of office towers, hotels and the Westfield Century City mall. 

The Beverly Hills City Council, Beverly Hills Unified School District and many residents have to a subway station on Constellation Boulevard in Century City because it would require tunneling under Beverly Hills High School. Those against that route argue that tunneling under BHHS could hinder student safety, as well as complicate the city's plans to renovate the school.

The editorial argues that Metro subways safely run under two local schools, Young Oak Kim Academy middle school in Koreatown and Camino Nuevo High School near Silver Lake. The piece states that "MTA studies say there will be no surface impacts during construction, meaning Beverly Hills High School won't have to close and its operations shouldn't be affected."

In an effort to prevent the Metro Board of Directors from voting on the recommended Westside Subway Extension route at an April 26 meeting, the Beverly Hills City Council is in Council Chambers to consider filing a request for a public hearing before the Metro board. If the hearing is approved, it would stall Metro's vote on the Century City station plan.

To read the Times editorial, click here.