January 25, 2022METRO Planning and Programming CommitteeAttn: Chair Hilda SolisOne Gateway PlazaLos Angeles, CA. 90012-2952RE: Support Letter for the West Santa Ana Branch (“WSAB”) Transit Light Rail Corridor ProjectDear Chair Solis: The City of Commerce is writing to express our support for the construction of the West Santa Ana Branch project from Los Angeles Union Station to Artesia’s Pioneer Station as quickly as possible. In addition, we support the motion in Item #10 introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Metro Representative Fernando Dutra to accelerate the schedule and budget for the project.As members of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, we have supported the construction of light rail within our Gateway Communities. This includes our continued support and prioritization of the Eastside Transit Corridor Project line, as well as the proposed West Santa Ana Branch. Many of our residents voted for the passage of Measure R and Measure M, with the understanding that we would receive high-quality transit for our cities. The West Santa Ana Branch is located in communities that are more transit-dependent, lower-income, and higher-percentage minority than LA County as a whole. Our residents suffer from poor air quality. The project is located within disadvantaged communities consistent with President Biden’s “Justice40” Initiative. As such, we ask that the Metro Board prioritize the West Santa Ana Branch as its top priority for next-in line federal, state, and local funding. In addition, we support the expedited study to lower the costs and accelerate the construction for the segment from Union Station to Slauson/A Line (Blue) Stations, and a station in Little Tokyo. As city leaders, we ask for frequent updates on the project’s schedule, costs, and funding at meetings of the Metro, Gateway Cities COG, and Eco-Rapid Transit boards. In addition, Metro must partner with cities to explore all financing methods and alternative project delivery methods to accelerate the completion of the entire line from Union Station to Pioneer Station before 2021-2043. Only then, will the West Santa Ana Branch line be complete. Metro has about 40 years of Federal Transit Administration “New Starts” successes during which it has secured about $7 billion in federal funds, including funding for the Metro B (Red Line), L (Gold Line), D (purple Line) and Regional Connector in other parts of LA County. It is now time to secure these funds for the transit- dependent communities of Southeast Los Angeles. Thank you for your support.January 25, 2022METRO Planning and Programming CommitteeAttn: Chair Hilda SolisOne Gateway PlazaLos Angeles, CA. 90012-2952RE: Support Letter for the West Santa Ana Branch (“WSAB”) Transit Light Rail Corridor ProjectDear Chair Solis: The City of Commerce is writing to express our support for the construction of the West Santa Ana Branch project from Los Angeles Union Station to Artesia’s Pioneer Station as quickly as possible. In addition, we support the motion in Item #10 introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Metro Representative Fernando Dutra to accelerate the schedule and budget for the project.As members of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, we have supported the construction of light rail within our Gateway Communities. This includes our continued support and prioritization of the Eastside Transit Corridor Project line, as well as the proposed West Santa Ana Branch. Many of our residents voted for the passage of Measure R and Measure M, with the understanding that we would receive high-quality transit for our cities. The West Santa Ana Branch is located in communities that are more transit-dependent, lower-income, and higher-percentage minority than LA County as a whole. Our residents suffer from poor air quality. The project is located within disadvantaged communities consistent with President Biden’s “Justice40” Initiative. As such, we ask that the Metro Board prioritize the West Santa Ana Branch as its top priority for next-in line federal, state, and local funding. In addition, we support the expedited study to lower the costs and accelerate the construction for the segment from Union Station to Slauson/A Line (Blue) Stations, and a station in Little Tokyo. As city leaders, we ask for frequent updates on the project’s schedule, costs, and funding at meetings of the Metro, Gateway Cities COG, and Eco-Rapid Transit boards. In addition, Metro must partner with cities to explore all financing methods and alternative project delivery methods to accelerate the completion of the entire line from Union Station to Pioneer Station before 2021-2043. Only then, will the West Santa Ana Branch line be complete. Metro has about 40 years of Federal Transit Administration “New Starts” successes during which it has secured about $7 billion in federal funds, including funding for the Metro B (Red Line), L (Gold Line), D (purple Line) and Regional Connector in other parts of LA County. It is now time to secure these funds for the transit- dependent communities of Southeast Los Angeles. Thank you for your support.
January 25, 2022
METRO Planning and Programming Committee
Attn: Chair Hilda Solis
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA. 90012-2952
RE: Support Letter for the West Santa Ana Branch (“WSAB”) Transit Light Rail Corridor Project Dear Chair Solis:
The City of Commerce is writing to express our support for the construction of the West Santa Ana Branch project from Los Angeles Union Station to Artesia’s Pioneer Station as quickly as possible. In addition, we support the motion in Item #10 introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Metro Representative Fernando Dutra to accelerate the schedule and budget for the project.
As members of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, we have supported the construction of light rail within our Gateway Communities. This includes our continued support and prioritization of the Eastside Transit Corridor Project line, as well as the proposed West Santa Ana Branch. Many of our residents voted for the passage of Measure R and Measure M, with the understanding that we would receive high-quality transit for our cities.
The West Santa Ana Branch is located in communities that are more transit-dependent, lower-income, and higher-percentage minority than LA County as a whole. Our residents suffer from poor air quality. The project is located within disadvantaged communities consistent with President Biden’s “Justice40” Initiative. As such, we ask that the Metro Board prioritize the West Santa Ana Branch as its top priority for next-in line federal, state, and local funding. In addition, we support the expedited study to lower the costs and accelerate the construction for the segment from Union Station to Slauson/A Line (Blue) Stations, and a station in Little Tokyo.
As city leaders, we ask for frequent updates on the project’s schedule, costs, and funding at meetings of the Metro, Gateway Cities COG, and Eco-Rapid Transit boards. In addition, Metro must partner with cities to explore all financing methods and alternative project delivery methods to accelerate the completion of the entire line from Union Station to Pioneer Station before 2021-2043. Only then, will the West Santa Ana Branch line be complete.
Metro has about 40 years of Federal Transit Administration “New Starts” successes during which it has secured about $7 billion in federal funds, including funding for the Metro B (Red Line), L (Gold Line), D (purple Line) and Regional Connector in other parts of LA County. It is now time to secure these funds for the transit- dependent communities of Southeast Los Angeles. Thank you for your support.
January 25, 2022
METRO Planning and Programming Committee
Attn: Chair Hilda Solis
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA. 90012-2952
RE: Support Letter for the West Santa Ana Branch (“WSAB”) Transit Light Rail Corridor Project Dear Chair Solis:
The City of Commerce is writing to express our support for the construction of the West Santa Ana Branch project from Los Angeles Union Station to Artesia’s Pioneer Station as quickly as possible. In addition, we support the motion in Item #10 introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Metro Representative Fernando Dutra to accelerate the schedule and budget for the project.
As members of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, we have supported the construction of light rail within our Gateway Communities. This includes our continued support and prioritization of the Eastside Transit Corridor Project line, as well as the proposed West Santa Ana Branch. Many of our residents voted for the passage of Measure R and Measure M, with the understanding that we would receive high-quality transit for our cities.
The West Santa Ana Branch is located in communities that are more transit-dependent, lower-income, and higher-percentage minority than LA County as a whole. Our residents suffer from poor air quality. The project is located within disadvantaged communities consistent with President Biden’s “Justice40” Initiative. As such, we ask that the Metro Board prioritize the West Santa Ana Branch as its top priority for next-in line federal, state, and local funding. In addition, we support the expedited study to lower the costs and accelerate the construction for the segment from Union Station to Slauson/A Line (Blue) Stations, and a station in Little Tokyo.
As city leaders, we ask for frequent updates on the project’s schedule, costs, and funding at meetings of the Metro, Gateway Cities COG, and Eco-Rapid Transit boards. In addition, Metro must partner with cities to explore all financing methods and alternative project delivery methods to accelerate the completion of the entire line from Union Station to Pioneer Station before 2021-2043. Only then, will the West Santa Ana Branch line be complete.
Metro has about 40 years of Federal Transit Administration “New Starts” successes during which it has secured about $7 billion in federal funds, including funding for the Metro B (Red Line), L (Gold Line), D (purple Line) and Regional Connector in other parts of LA County. It is now time to secure these funds for the transit- dependent communities of Southeast Los Angeles. Thank you for your support.
If you have any questions regarding the content of this letter, you can contact the Director of Economic Development and Planning at (323)722-4805 ext. 2389 or via email at [email protected] Sincerely,
Honorable Mayor Leonard Mendoza