MyFigueroa, the ambitious plan to remake Figueroa Street between Exposition Park and DTLA, along with stretches of Eleventh Street in South Park and MLK Boulevard in Expo Park, is being pulled in a million directions. The city is on deadline to finish construction before 2015 or risk having a state grant for the project rescinded. Complicating matters is a local businessman (a car dealership owner, naturally) challenging the environmental certification of the project, which would remove traffic lanes, add protected lanes called cycle tracks, widen sidewalks, and plant trees. Darryl Holter of Shammas Auto Group will plead his case to the City Council's Planning and Land Use Committee on Tuesday, arguing there needs to be a way for the project to be torn out should it prove unsuccessful and demanding traffic studies looking into MyFigueroa's efficacy (there are already plans for those). Holter isn't alone in his reservations over the project—the California Science Center and the local business improvement district aren't pleased with the project as it's planned (biking and walking organizations unsurprisingly support MyFigueroa).
Councilmember Curren Price supports more biking and walking amenities, but has voiced concerns over increased vehicle traffic. Even with the appeal, which will also be heard by the Council's Transportation Committee, the city is putting the project out for bids in February and March. The concern is the deadline, but there is talk it could possibly be extended so the money doesn't get snatched away.
· The MyFigueroa! Streetscape and Protected Bike Lane Plan Moves Forward as City Council Begins Hearing the Appeal [Streetsblog]
· Here's the Newest Look For Huge Figueroa Street Overhaul [Curbed LA]
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