AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Christine Chung, Project Manager
Subject: METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 2 – REQUEST FOR FULL CLOSURE OF SOUTH CAÑON DRIVE FOR APPENDAGE
STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION AND STREET RESTORATION
Attachments: 1. November 7, 2023 Agenda Report (without attachments)
2. Stakeholder Comments
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council approve the request by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to temporarily close South Cañon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard starting September for up to 11 weeks. This closure is necessary to safely complete the construction of an underground appendage structure for the Purple (D) Line Section 2 subway station and to restore the street. Mitigation measures will be implemented to protect nearby residents and businesses.
INTRODUCTION
With City Council approval on November 7, 2023, Metro temporarily closed South Cañon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard from January to March 2024 to safely complete the deck panel installations and structural support needed for the second-largest appendage structure of the station. By April 2024, South Cañon Drive was fully decked across the street and under the sidewalks. Metro completed the center roadway portion of the appendage structure by July 2024, leaving only the vent structure within the sidewalk and street restoration work.
As required by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Article XII for traffic control changes, Metro seeks City Council approval to fully close South Cañon Drive from Wilshire Boulevard about 150 feet south for up to 11 weeks to safely complete the vent
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Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
structures and the street restoration on an expedited schedule, minimizing impacts on the surrounding businesses and residents.
DISCUSSION
Existing Site and MOA Conditions
Appendages are underground rooms and passageways that house vital functions such as emergency exits, exhaust and supply air shafts, and equipment access shafts. The appendage on South Cañon Drive is the second largest appendage structure for the station. The appendage is currently under construction below the 30-foot-wide street and extends from Wilshire Boulevard to about 150 feet south. South Cañon Drive near Wilshire Boulevard includes an active entrance and driveway to the East West Bank building on the east side, a driveway to the Rolex Building, a commercial loading zone on the west side, and a one-way alley as the primary path for deliveries and valet to surrounding businesses. Residential apartments and condominiums are located just south of the alley, and multiple hotels are on the adjacent side streets.
The MOA includes the following conditions for the work site and proposed work:
Article XII requires a minimum of one lane in each direction to be open for residential streets unless varied by a City-approved Worksite Traffic Control Plan that protects the surrounding residential and business neighborhoods. Article XIII allows deck panel removal with full closure of South Cañon Drive over the weekends only, from Friday 8:00 pm to Monday 7:00 am. Article XII allows street restoration work to be done behind concrete barriers.
Justification for Full Closure
The ventilation structure construction within the sidewalks involves the removal of the deck panels and their structural support, utility restoration, concrete placement, removal of shoring, vent installation, backfill, and sidewalk restoration. Additionally, the street restoration will include backfill, curb and gutter restoration, asphalt paving, and striping.
To construct the vents, the existing supporting beams extending under the sidewalk must be cut, which compromises the deck panels across the street and prevents compliance with the MOA condition to open a lane for two-way traffic. Additionally, the narrow 30-foot street width would not allow the establishment of a work zone with heavy equipment while maintaining one lane in each direction for live traffic. Therefore, a full closure of South Cañon Drive is the only practical and safe option to complete the vent structures and street restoration.
Metro plans to close South Cañon Drive starting in early September 2024 for up to 11 weeks. The Independent Compliance Monitor (ICM) will be onsite to oversee construction activities and verify compliance with the MOA, permit, and approval conditions. To mitigate the impacts of the full closures, Metro will implement the following supplemental mitigation measures in addition to all MOA-required measures:
Expedite the work by increasing work shifts, including night and weekend shifts when possible. Metro anticipates completing the construction within 6 to 8 weeks on an expedited schedule.
Phase the work to allow at least one sidewalk to remain open along South Cañon Drive.
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
Prohibit noisy work at night from 8 pm to 8 am. This is one hour earlier than the MOA-specified hours for street restoration.
Maintain the temporary commercial loading zone on Wilshire Boulevard, and coordinate with the businesses for deliveries, if any impacts to the loading zone are foreseen during the street closure.
Install sound barriers on the chain link fenced enclosures around the work site. Install detour signs, public informational graphics, and wayfinding around the closure and sidewalk barriers.
Maintain sidewalk, alley, garage, and parking lot access to adjacent businesses at all times.
Deploy traffic control officers as needed to facilitate traffic flow.
The proposed closure was previously implemented between January and March 2024.
During this closure, City field staff observed minimal traffic backups and impacts on adjacent residential streets and arterial intersections, verifying nominal impacts per the traffic study shared as part of the agenda report dated November 7, 2023 (Attachment 1).
Based on the narrow street conditions and minimal traffic impacts on the neighborhood, City staff recommends approving the full closure up to 11 weeks. No work will be allowed over the MOA holidays, and the work hours will comply with MOA conditions with no noisy work overnight.
City Council Ad Hoc
On July 15, 2024, the Metro Ad Hoc Committee, which includes Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Wells, was briefed on Metro’s request to close South Cañon Drive for this work. In order to ensure public and worker safety in this constrained area, and considering Metro’s commitment to expedite street restoration to minimize impacts on the surrounding residents and businesses, the Ad Hoc Committee concurred with staff to recommend approval of Metro’s request during the City Council Meeting scheduled for August 20, 2024.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
City and Metro staff completed the following community outreach to inform businesses and residents of the proposed full closure for up to 11 weeks to facilitate the appendage construction and street restoration.
Metro provided information about the proposed closure during the Monthly Community Meeting on July 10. No objection was received. Metro informed the Chamber of Commerce Stakeholders of the proposed closure during their meeting on July 17. No objection was received. One-on-one contacts were made with the stakeholders and businesses near South Cañon Drive in July. Some of the key stakeholders include East West Bank, Rolex Building, Sixty Hotel, and Ferrari Beverly Hills. Rolex Building and East West Bank do not object to the temporary full closure as long as access to their building parking, entrances, and alley are maintained (Attachment 2).
Overall, no objection was received.
Meeting Date: August 20, 2024
General and specific notices were hand-delivered the first week of August 2024 to approximately 3,200 residents, businesses, and property owners bounded by Camden Drive, Olympic Boulevard, Hamel Drive, and Wilshire Boulevard and bounded by Rexford Drive, Brighton Way, Crescent Drive, and Wilshire Boulevard. No comments were received. Metro will distribute additional notices before the full closure implementation on South Cañon Drive. On August 2, 2024, City staff had 2,000 notices hand-delivered to residents and businesses regarding the City Council item and date. The notice was distributed to the area bounded by Beverly Drive, Wilshire Boulevard, North Cañon Drive, Clifton Way, Rexford Drive, and Olympic Boulevard. No comments were received.
The City and Metro also updated the project websites with the proposed phases of work.
Near the start of the restoration work, map navigation applications will be notified of the street closures. Before implementing the full closure, Metro will distribute an updated public notice with additional closure details and detour routes for pedestrians and drivers. Outreach efforts will continue throughout the work, and staff will monitor community concerns via phone, email, and social media.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approving this request. All staff and consultant costs will be reimbursed by Metro per the MOA.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: November 7, 2023
Item Number:
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Christine Chung, Project Manager
Subject: METRO PURPLE LINE SECTION 2 – REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT FULL CLOSURE OF SOUTH CAÑON DRIVE TO FACILITATE
APPENDAGE STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION
Attachments: 1. Wilshire Rodeo Station Appendage Traffic Study
2. Stakeholder Comments
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council move to approve the request by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to temporarily fully close South Cañon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard to safely accommodate the construction of an underground appendage structure for the Purple (D) Line Section 2 subway station for approximately three months until the first quarter of 2024, with recommended mitigation measures to protect nearby residents.
INTRODUCTION
As part of Section 2 of the Metro Purple Line Extension subway project, multiple appendage structures are located adjacent to the station and provide vital functions of the station, such as emergency exits, utility rooms, ventilation shafts, entrance and exit structures for maintenance, and more. The largest appendage structures are located at South Beverly Drive and at South Cañon Drive.
Concrete deck panels on South Beverly Drive were installed in late August 2023 and piling was completed on South Cañon Drive in October 2023. Excavation and construction of the appendage structures at South Beverly Drive and South Cañon Drive will be completed in Spring 2024.
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Meeting Date: November 7, 2023
As required by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Article XII for traffic control changes, Metro seeks City Council approval to fully close South Cañon Drive from Wilshire Boulevard about 150 feet south for approximately three months to expedite the construction period and facilitate safe construction of the appendage structure to minimize impacts on the surrounding businesses and residents.
DISCUSSION
Existing Site and MOA Conditions
The appendage on South Cañon Drive is the second largest structure currently under construction on a 30-foot-wide street from Wilshire Boulevard about 150 feet south.
South Cañon Drive near Wilshire Boulevard includes an active entrance and driveway to East West Bank on the east side, a driveway to the Rolex Building and commercial loading zone on the west side, and a one-way alley as the primary path for deliveries and valet to surrounding businesses. Also, residential apartments and condos are located just south of the alley, and multiple hotels are on the adjacent side streets.
The MOA includes the following conditions for the work site and proposed work. Article XII requires a minimum of one lane in each direction to be open for residential streets unless varied by a City-approved Worksite Traffic Control Plan that protects the surrounding residential and business neighborhoods. Article XIII allows deck panel installation with full closure of South Cañon Drive over the weekends only, from Friday 8:00 p.m. to Monday 7:00 a.m. Article XIII provides possible options to work 24/7 for excavation and delivery of material through deck panels if the noise control requirements are met.
Justification for Full Closure
The appendage construction involves deck panel installation, excavation, shoring, utility maintenance, concrete placement, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing connections, hauling, backfill, removal of shoring, deck panel removal, and surface restoration.
Heavy equipment, including cranes, excavators, concrete pump trucks, and hauling trucks, is required for the decking, excavation, and appendage structure installation.
There is insufficient space on South Cañon Drive to safely stage and operate the equipment while meeting the MOA condition that one lane remains open for two-way traffic. The proposed full closure of South Cañon Drive, similar to the full closure of South Reeves Drive in August 2020, would allow the work to be performed safely and would also reduce the duration of the inconvenience to residents and businesses by an estimated two to three months.
Metro plans to complete decking, excavation, and appendage structure construction over three months starting in early 2024. If not completed within the approved threemonth closure, the remaining appendage work would continue with one lane open for two-way traffic, or full street closure on weekends for deck removals only, per the MOA.
The decking, excavation, and appendage structure construction work hours would follow the hours outlined in the MOA for work behind concrete K-rail; however, work would end one hour earlier to avoid noise impacts. Workdays would be seven days a week with work hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with breakdown, cleanup, and other quiet activities to occur between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. These work hours would prevent heavy construction noise at night for the residential area south of the alley near the work site.
Meeting Date: November 7, 2023
Traffic Impacts of Full Closure
A peer-reviewed traffic study was completed to evaluate the potential traffic impacts of a 12-week full closure of South Cañon Drive (Attachment A). The study considered morning and afternoon peak hour impacts of the proposed closure, along with the existing temporary closure of North Cañon Drive and concurrent Metro construction activities.
For the 13 intersections studied, the proposed closure would cause minimal travel delay changes (typically 0.1 to 0.3 seconds in the AM and 0.1 to 0.6 seconds in the PM) with the greatest increases at Wilshire Boulevard/Beverly Drive (4.3 seconds in the AM peak and 1.2 seconds in the PM peak) and at Wilshire Boulevard/Crescent Drive (0.4 seconds in the AM and 1.4 seconds in the PM). During the closure, delays at Wilshire Boulevard/Cañon Drive will be reduced by 2.5 to 6.3 seconds.
Peak period traffic volumes (existing and with closure) along Charleville Boulevard, Reeves Drive and Crescent Drive are summarized in the table below.
Traffic Volumes – Existing and With Proposed Closure
AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Street Segment
Existing
cars/hr
w/Closure
cars/hr
Increase
cars/hr(%)
Existing
cars/hr
w/Closure
cars/hr
Increase
cars/hr(%)
Charleville (Beverly
to Crescent) 266 281 15 (6%) 487 513 26 (5%)
Reeves (Wilshire to
Charleville) 50 54 4 (8%) 151 158 7 (5%)
Crescent (Wilshire
to Charleville) 233 256 23 (10%) 463 483 20 (4%)
With nominal changes in queuing at adjacent intersections, the study verifies minimal impact on the adjacent residential and arterial intersections and traffic operating conditions.
Mitigation Measures
Based on the challenging site conditions and proximity of residential areas and business entrances, Metro would incorporate the following supplemental mitigation measures into their project as part of this approval along with all MOA-required measures. The Independent Compliance Monitor (ICM) will be onsite to oversee construction activities and verify compliance with the MOA, permit, and approval conditions. Limit noisy work activities between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. rather than working late night hours allowed per the MOA.
Install a temporary 16-foot-tall sound barrier at the south side of the closure, which is 10 feet taller than the typical 8-foot fence with sound blankets adequate for the proposed activities.
Relocate the commercial loading zone to Wilshire Boulevard and coordinate with the businesses for deliveries at the relocated loading zone during closure. Install detour signs, public informational graphics, and wayfinding around the closure and sidewalk barriers.
Maintain sidewalk, alley, garage, and parking lot access to adjacent businesses at all times.
Deploy traffic control officers as needed to facilitate traffic flow.
Meeting Date: November 7, 2023
City Council Ad Hoc
On September 21, 2023, the Metro Ad Hoc Committee, which includes Vice Mayor Friedman and Councilmember Bosse, was informed of Metro’s request. Based on the proposed mitigation measures to protect the nearby residential area and Metro’s commitment to minimal interruptions to the adjacent businesses, the Ad Hoc Committee concurred with staff to recommend Metro’s request during the City Council meeting scheduled for November 7, 2023.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
City and Metro staff completed the following community outreach to inform businesses and residents of the proposed full closure of South Cañon Drive for up to three months to facilitate the appendage construction.
Metro discussed the closure during the Monthly Community Meetings on April 12, May 3, June 7 (in-person meeting), July 12, August 9, September 6 (in-person), and October 4. No objection was received.
Metro informed Monthly Chamber of Commerce Stakeholder Meetings on April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, and October 11. East West Bank questioned regarding access for bank patrons and employees, and staff confirmed that access to their entrance and driveway will be maintained during business hours. Staff also shared that public information graphics will be maintained around the proposed enclosure by Metro. No objection was received. One-on-one contacts were made with the stakeholders and businesses near South Cañon Drive between September 15 and September 18, 2023. Some of the key stakeholders include East West Bank, Rolex Building, Sixty Hotel, and Ferrari Beverly Hills. Rolex Building and East West Bank support the temporary full closure as long as access to their building parking, entrances, and alley is maintained from both Wilshire Boulevard and South Cañon Drive (Attachment B).
No objection was received.
City staff informed the Southwest Beverly Hills Homeowners Association of the temporary full closure proposal on May 31, 2023. No objection was received. General notices were hand-delivered the first week of July 2023, August 2023, and September 2023 to approximately 5,400 residents, businesses, and property owners bounded by Burton Way, Olympic Boulevard, Robertson Boulevard, and South Santa Monica Boulevard. Staff received questions regarding access for bank patrons and employees. No comments were received.
A specific notice was distributed on October 19, 2023, with the details of the proposed closure and the City Council meeting date. Metro will distribute a second notice before the full closure implementation on South Cañon Drive. On October 20, 2023, City staff had 3,000 notices hand-delivered to residents and businesses regarding the City Council item and date. The notice was distributed to the area bounded by Camden Drive, Dayton Way, North Cañon Drive, South Santa Monica Boulevard, Rexford Drive, and Olympic Boulevard.
Meeting Date: November 7, 2023
The City and Metro also updated the project websites with the proposed phases of work.
Near the start of appendage work, GPS applications will properly reflect the street closures. Before implementing the full closure, Metro will distribute an updated public notice with additional closure details and detour routes for pedestrians and drivers.
Outreach efforts will be ongoing throughout the work. Staff will continue monitoring phone, email, and social media to mitigate community concerns.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with approving this request. All staff and consultant costs will be reimbursed by Metro per the MOA.
Shana Epstein,
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 2
East West Bank
7/22/24, 2:12 PM Fwd: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure - Christine Chung - Outlook Fwd: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Perla Berry <[email protected] >
Mon 7/22/2024 10:48 AM
To:Christine Chung <[email protected]>
/\ CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER A\
Be cautious when clicking links or opening attachments. Verify the sender's email address and be on the lookout for phishing attempts.
Please see email below from East West Bank.
Perla
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Lake, Mindy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 10:12:45 AM
To: David Haimovitz <[email protected]>; Perla Berry <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Yes, that is correct.
Mindy Lake
LA Metro
Principal Community Relations Officer
Program Management-Construction Relations
323.900.2146 W
310.562.4227 C
metro.net I facebook.com/losangelesmetro I @metrolosangeles Metro's mission is to provide world-class transportation for all.
From: David Haimovitz <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 10:07 AM
To: Perla Berry <[email protected]>; Lake, Mindy <[email protected]> Subject: RE: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Hello,
I got the information. We want to make sure that all access to our drive way, alley and sidewalks will be open.
LEAST WEST BANK
David Haimovitz
FVP-Branch Manager
Beverly Hills-Wilshire
Main:310.861.2153 I Cell: 424.283.2844
David. Hai [email protected]
9378 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 100
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7/22/24, 2:12 PM
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Fwd: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure - Christine Chung - Outlook Read our Digital Magazine Reach Further
From: Perla Berry <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2024 8:52 AM
To: David Haimovitz <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure CAUTION: This email is from an external sender. Don't click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe
Hi David,
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to see if you have any concerns about the proposed closure of South Canon? Do you mind responding to Mindy's email?
Thank you,
Perla Berry
P S O M A S Balancing the Natural and Built Environment 714.833.8530
www.Psomas.com
From: Lake, Mindy <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 1:13 PM
To: David Haimovitz <[email protected]>
Cc: Perla Berry <[email protected]>
Subject: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Hi David,
I hope that all is well and that you are having a nice Summer.
I'm writing to let you know that the contractor is planning to remove the deck panels on S Canon Dr and restore the street as early as August. This work will require a full closure of S Canon, like the last one to do the appendages. Your building driveway, access from the driveway and the bank entrance will not be impacted at any time during this work.
Attached please find the Construction Notice for your visitors.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best to you as always,
Mindy
Mindy Lake
LA Metro
Principal Community Relations Officer
Program Management-Construction Relations
323.900.2146 W
310.562.4227 C
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7/22/24, 2:12 PM Fwd: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure - Christine Chung - Outlook metro.net I facebook.com/losangelesmetro I @metrolosangeles Metro's mission is to provide world-class transportation for all.
PLEASE READ: The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and intended for the named recipient(s) only. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail you must not copy, distribute or take any further action in reliance upon it and you should delete it and notify the sender immediately. E-mail is not a secure method of communication. East West Bank cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this message or any attachment(s). This e-mail is intended for information purposes only and is not a solicitation or offer to buy or sell securities or related financial instruments.
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Rolex Building
FW: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure - Christine Chung - Outlook I I
FW: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Perla Berry <[email protected] >
Fri 7/19/2024 12:08 PM
To:Christine Chung <[email protected]>
A\ CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER /\
Be cautious when clicking links or opening attachments. Verify the sender's email address and be on the lookout for phishing attempts.
Christine,
Below is the response from Rolex.
Perla Berry
P S O M A S I Balancing the Natural and Built Environment 714.833.8530
https:/ /ddec 1-0-en-ctp. trendmicro.com :443/wis/cl ickti me/v1 /q uery?u rl=www.Psomas.com&um id =62bcd1cf-3671-4a46-9639- 65bbb0eb4ad5&auth=6589424f 4a292f7f8607 aebfa0d 130ef683d309c-dc8d69f8564522ea902d9469cd5a0613f2af0b85 From: CORALIC Bogdan <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 1:20 PM
To: Lake, Mindy <[email protected]>
Cc: Perla Berry <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure Hi Mindy,
I hope you have a nice Summer too.
Thanks for updating me with this information.
Best,
BC
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 12, 2024, at 1:10 PM, Lake, Mindy <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi BC,
I hope that all is well and that you are having a nice Summer.
I'm writing to let you know that the contractor is planning to remove the deck panels on S Canon Dr and restore the street as early as August. This work will require a full closure of S Canon, like the last one to do the appendages. Your driveway will not be impacted at any time during this work.
Attached please find the Construction Notice for your tenants and visitors. about:blank?windowld=SecondaryReadingPane15 1/2
7/22/24, 2:12 PM
FW: Upcoming work on S Canon - requiring a full closure - Christine Chung - Outlook Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best to you as always,
Mindy
Mindy Lake
LA Metro
Principal Community Relations Officer
Program Management-Construction Relations
323.900.2146 W
310.562.4227 C
metro.net I facebook.com/losangelesmetro I @metrolosangeles Metro's mission is to provide world-class transportation for all. <PL2 -Appendage Deck Removal Street Restoration_S Canon Dr_Final_.2.pdf> ******************************************************************************************** *
This email and any files transmitted with it, including replies and forwarded copies (which may contain alterations) subsequently transmitted from the Company, are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. It may contain material protected by attorney-client privilege. The contents do not represent the opinion of Rolex SA except to the extent that it relates to their official business. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please advise the sender by return e-mail, then delete this message and any attachments. Our privacy policy, which applies to our exchanges by emails is available here
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