Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER, P.E., DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC
WORKS/CITY ENGINEER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
SUBJECT: APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO) FOR THE RECONNECTING
COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider approving a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) Project. This agreement will formalize the collaboration between the City and Metro to implement various public right-of-way improvements along the Florence Avenue and Studebaker Road corridors. These enhancements are part of a larger, County-wide initiative by Metro to improve mobility and infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
1. Approve the Letter of Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Project;
2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Letter of Agreement;
3. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute any future amendments to the Letter of Agreement if deemed necessary.
BACKGROUND
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) a $139 million grant from the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods (RCN) program for its "Removing Barriers and Creating Legacy" initiative. Combined with a $22.6 million local match from Metro, the $161.8 million program represents a comprehensive, county-wide effort to upgrade and better connect local transportation infrastructure in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This initiative, which supports Metro's Vision 2028 Plan, will restore community connectivity by investing in high-quality multimodal transportation options across 12 jurisdictions. As part of this program, the City of Downey has been identified as
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY (METRO) FOR THE RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS
PROJECT
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
PAGE 2
a key partner, with significant improvements slated for the Florence Avenue and Studebaker Road corridors. These enhancements are designed to create a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable transportation network that will provide legacy benefits to residents and visitors long after the Olympic Games.
ANALYSIS
The RCN Project will implement a number of transit and pedestrian related improvements to Downey's transportation infrastructure. The scope of work for the City includes several key elements, including bus corridor enhancements through the implementation of transit signal priority (TSP) along the Florence Avenue and Studebaker Road corridors to improve bus travel times and schedule reliability. The project also features significant bus stop improvements, including the installation of nine new bus shelters equipped with digital information displays and other amenities including smart lighting and wifi/charging points. Bus stops at Florence Avenue and Lakewood Boulevard and Florence Avenue and Paramount Boulevard that were previously identified in the City Bus Shelter Improvement Program will now be funded through the RCN Project. Additional upgrades will include the construction of bus bulbs and ADA-compliant curb ramps to improve accessibility and safety for all passengers. Finally, the project incorporates an urban landscaping component with the addition of new infill street trees along the corridors to improve aesthetics, provide shade, and contribute to the City's sustainability goals.
The attached Letter of Agreement (LOA) defines the terms in which the City and Metro will cooperate to deliver the project. It designates the RCN Project as a high-priority public works project and establishes a framework for collaboration. To ensure on-time delivery, Metro is leading the environmental clearance for all projects included in the RCN program.
Per the LOA, Metro will be responsible for the design, management, and construction of the improvements within Downey. The City’s primary role will be to provide Design Support services, including expedited plan reviews, to ensure the project meets all City standards and requirements. The LOA also outlines a clear process for issue resolution and establishes a work order system for the City to be reimbursed for staff time and other direct costs associated with the project.
According to the project schedule provided by Metro, the completion of final design is anticipated by June 2026, with major construction concluding by December 2027. Upon completion and final acceptance, the City will assume responsibility for the ongoing operation and maintenance of all improvements installed within the public right-of-way.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Efficiency & Adaptability
Quality of Life, Safety and Infrastructure
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY (METRO) FOR THE RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS
PROJECT
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025
PAGE 3
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact on the City for the design and construction of the RCN Project improvements, as these costs will be fully covered by the grant funding secured by Metro. The City's contribution will primarily be in the form of staff time for design review and project coordination. The Letter of Agreement includes a provision for the City to be reimbursed for these direct and indirect costs through a work order process with Metro.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Letter of Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Attachment B: Conceptual 30% Design Plan
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
EAST FLORENCE AVENUE BUS CORRIDOR ENHANCEMENTS
15% CONCEPTUAL PLANS
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
FLORENCE AVE FROM GRAHAM AVENUE TO STUDEBAKER ROAD
STUDEBAKER ROAD FROM FLORENCE AVE TO CECILIA STREET GAGE AVE
GRAHAM AVEBELL AVESANTA FE AVEPACIFIC BLVDSEVILLE AVERITA AVESTAFFORD AVEMOUNTAIN VIEW AVEMISSION PLBISSELL STALAMEDA ST
NADEAU ST STATE STCALIFORNIA AVECALIFORNIA AVEOTIS AVEATLANTIC
AVEWILCOX AVEWALKER AVEEASTERN AVEJABONERIA RDGARFIELD AVEE FLORENCE AVE FLORE
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EMIL AVEFLORENCE AVE
OLD RIVER SCHOOL RDWILEY BURKE AVERIVES AVEPARAMOUNT BLVDDOWNEY AVEBROOKSHIRE AVELAKEWOOD BLVDSTUDEBAKER RDCECILI A
S
TTECUM RDPINE AVEVICINITY MAP
PROJECT LOCATION
LOS ANGELES
WEST HOLLYWOOD
BURBANK
PACIFIC OCEAN
LONG BEACH
SANTA ANA
FLORENCE
WHITTIER
ALHAMBRATOPANGA
INGLEWOOD
LAKEWOOD
FULLERTON
GLENDORA
CHATSWORTH
UNINCORPORATED
LOS ANGELES
COUNTY
CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
CITY OF BELL
CITY O
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CITY OF DOWNEY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
GAGE AVE
GRAHAM AVEBELL AVESANTA FE AVEPACIFIC BLVDSEVILLE AVERITA AVESTAFFORD AVEMOUNTAIN VIEW AVEMISSION PLBISSELL STALAMEDA ST
NADEAU ST STATE STCALIFORNIA AVECALIFORNIA AVEOTIS AVEATLANTIC
AVEWILCOX AVEWALKER AVEEASTERN AVEJABONERIA RDGARFIELD AVEFLORENCE AVE FLORE
N
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P
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EMIL AVEFLORENCE AVE
OLD RIVER SCHOOL RDWILEY BURKE AVERIVES AVEPARAMOUNT BLVDDOWNEY AVEBROOKSHIRE AVELAKEWOOD BLVDCASANES AVEMATTOCK AVESTUDEBAKER RDCECI LI
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR DI
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SI
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESSFOR DISCUSSION ONLY
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
DI
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
WORK IN PROGRESS
FOR
DI
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C
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SI
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NL
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555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
FOR
DI
S
C
U
S
SI
O
N
O
NL
Y
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS
555 S FLOWER ST, SUITE 3200
LOS ANGELES, CA 90071NOT FORCONSTRUCTIONLOS ANGELES COUNTY
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND NEIGHBORHOODS