ROW OVER ROW OVER: Grassroots advocates block light rail from railroad right-of-way
by Garth Meyer Questions of engineering and finance met one of philosophy Jan. 22 in Los Angeles, and the latter took precedence when, by unanimous vote, the Metro board of directors chose Hawthorne Boulevard for the path to extend light rail to the South Bay. A total of 172 people gave public comment at Metro headquarters. Those against the Hawthorne Boulevard route cited concerns about lost sales tax and disrupted businesses along the commercial corridor. Those in favor cited quality of life issues on the alternative proposed route, a railroad right-of-way (ROW) between neighborhoods in Lawndale and North Redondo Beach. “There is no moral equivalency,” said Metro Board Director and Inglewood Mayor James Butts, before the vote. He, fellow director Holly Mitchell, who is also an L.A. County Supervisor, and two other boardmembers released a motion days before in support of the Hawthorne route. At the packed Jan. 22 public hearing, Mitchell said the board will establish a Business Interruption Fund to aid the boulevard during construction of the raised tracks. The board also certified the final Environmental Impact Report for both would-be routes. The 4.5-mile South Bay light rail…
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