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Council backs state study to explore decking the 101 downtown, adds funding safeguard
Summary
The City Council voted to back state legislation to study capping part of the US-101 freeway downtown to create park space, but amended its support to require the bill not displace projects in regional funding processes and asked that the proposal be submitted through MTA's call for projects.
The City Council voted to support AB 942 (sponsored locally and tied to downtown representatives) to study construction of a deck over the US-101 freeway to create open space near El Pueblo and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The council approved support as amended, attaching a condition that the bill not supersede or bump projects already included in regional funding lists and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) call-for-projects process. The item passed 14-0.
Councilmember Alex Pacheco described a plan to close the on-ramp on Los Angeles Street, create a tunnel entrance on Alameda Street and "deck that portion and extend that park area" connecting downtown landmarks. Pacheco said engineers have provided a class-C estimate and that the Bureau of Engineering and the City Administrative Office have worked with the Council to outline potential design and budgeting steps.
Victor Franco Jr., deputy director of legislative affairs for the Central City Association, urged support and described the bill as necessary to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic from a new downtown high school, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and cultural venues. He said the CCA had sent letters to Sacramento backing AB 942.
Several councilmembers praised the vision but raised funding and process concerns. Councilmember Nathan Bernsen recommended an amendment requiring that the bill should not "jump or supersede other projects which have been approved in the call for projects," arguing regional priorities should be respected. Councilmember Eric Garcetti and others praised the idea as an overdue urban-improvement concept and urged city staff to pursue the MTA process and explore funding options. Councilmember Joe Holden suggested seeking Caltrans consideration for funding because of historic freeway impacts on city land.
The council's amendment was adopted and members directed staff to submit a proposal to the next MTA call for projects and to work with Assembly offices and potential state partners on funding options. The motion as amended was approved unanimously.
