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Monrovia business owner says more frequent Metro stops and prolonged Magnolia closure are hurting revenue; city cites Edison permit delay
Summary
A Monrovia gas station owner told the City Council excessive Metro A Line stop frequency and a prolonged closure of South Magnolia Avenue have reduced foot traffic and revenue. City management said utility undergrounding and Edison permit review have delayed Magnolia work and referred traffic-safety concerns to a warrant analysis process.
Meldia Merabi, owner of a 76 gas station about 0.3 miles from the Monrovia Metro Station, told the City Council on Aug. 5 that more frequent Metro A Line stops and an extended closure of South Magnolia Avenue have reduced customer foot traffic and hurt business revenue.
"The metro train now stops every 4 to 6 minutes, far more often than originally indicated," Merabi said, adding that the increased stops, combined with the Magnolia closure, have caused "constant traffic interruptions, rerouting, and disruptive delays" that have driven customers away.
The city's response came from Dylan, City Manager, who said the Magnolia closure resulted from two primary projects: a pipeline installed more than a year ago and recent work to underground power lines and complete sewer connections. Dylan said contractors are ready to proceed but "have been held up by Edison's permit review timelines," and the city expects the work to finish "within the next couple months," though no exact reopening date was given.
On the Metro stops, Merabi told council members she had contacted both the city and Metro and received little response. She also raised safety concerns and reports of harassment and illegal activity near the station, saying employees and customers had been attacked and urging the council to help coordinate with Metro and the police department.
Dylan said the city will continue to coordinate with the Monrovia Police Department on patrols and will provide Merabi with contact information for Alex in Public Works to follow up on reopening timelines. Dylan also said the city had told the contractor to clear construction storage that had been left in the closed corridor.
Council members did not take formal action on Merabi's requests during the meeting but the city manager indicated staff follow-up and coordination with public works and police. No direct commitments from Metro were recorded in the meeting.
Merabi also asked the council to help address homelessness-related disturbances near the station; Dylan framed that as enforcement of illegal activity and pointed to ongoing PD patrols. Chief Harvey and other public-safety staff were present to answer questions but did not offer additional policy changes in the meeting.
The council took no vote related to Metro scheduling or the Magnolia construction schedule during the Aug. 5 meeting. City staff urged affected residents and business owners to use the city's online Safe Streets survey and to contact Public Works for project-specific questions.
A copy of Merabi's full remarks and the city manager's update are included in the council meeting record.
