Angels Flight Tells MTA: Thanks, but Stay Away
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — When Angels Flight announced a few weeks ago that it would be reopening this summer, I speculated that the press they got might at least partially be designed to prevent an MTA takeover. The privately owned railway has taken a long time in raising the funding it needs to reopen, and City officials had asked the MTA to study what it might take for the public to do the rehab and reopening.
A week ago Angels Flight Chairman Dennis Luna sent a letter (PDF) to MTA head Roger Snoble and City Transportation committee chair Wendy Gruel. The text points to the recent media coverage and says that things are fine, and asks if they wouldn't mind just backing off.
On behalf of our Board, I am writing now to say that we appreciate the time and good will involved in your examining ways that Metro or the City could be helpful to the private Angels Flight Railway Foundation that owns the Railway. However, as reported in the Times, Angels Flight now is engaged in its third, and final, phase of Restoration.
... There are many and varied needs that the MTA is called upon to address. Our Board does not think it is necessary for county or city taxpayers to be asked to pay for capital expenses of the private Angels Flight Railway.
For Downtown's sake I do hope that the railway is indeed reopened this summer. Until I see cars on the track, though, I'm still going to have to take a wait and see approach to all this.
David Kennedy on February 08, 2007, at 02:38PM – #1
The MTA should hold this organization to account. If they say Angels Flight is going to reopen this summer, great. But, if they don't, take the threatened action. These guys have dilly-dallied for years and a vital public transit resource has been broken all that time.
The perception that Angels Flight is simply a tourist joyride is not correct. It is a vital transit link connecting Bunker Hill to historic downtown. Most people are completely put off hiking up Bunker Hill. Angels Flight makes the connection easy and delightful. It cannot be restored soon enough.
Dana Gabbard on February 08, 2007, at 04:37PM – #2
I don't think Mr. Welborne has been dilly-dalliing. suspect it is hard to get folks to donate to rebuild something where many institutional failures caused a tragic situation.
David Kennedy on February 08, 2007, at 05:22PM – #3
I don't have any first-hand knowledge of Mr. Welbourne's determination or lack thereof in fixing Angels flight. But, the effect is the same. The route has been down for five years (!) and that's not acceptable. If the MTA needs to get involved to get it running again to restore public confidence, so be it.
But, with Grand Avenue redevelopment coming, the importance of Angels Flight is sure to grow. It connects the Pershing Square station to Grand Avenue. Without Angels Flight, hiking up Bunker Hill is a challenge most people will decline. Without decent public transit connections, Bunker Hill will become another drive-in/drive-out destination even for downtown residents. Downtown needs Grand Avenue to be accessible to pedestrians. Angels Flight will be an important part of this access.
Joel C on February 09, 2007, at 08:16AM – #4
David Kennedy wrote: "But, with Grand Avenue redevelopment coming, the importance of Angels Flight is sure to grow."
Given the importance to the Grand Avenue Project, I would hope to see those parties involved with the GAP on the donor list for the private restoration.
Dana Gabbard on February 09, 2007, at 09:16AM – #5
To answer Joel, since John Welborne's wife Martha is in charge of the Grand Avenue project, I imagine it is safe to assume that "parties involved with the GAP [are] on the donor list for the private restoration."
John H. Welborne on November 05, 2007, at 11:35PM – #6
Grand Avenue Project principals and Grand Avenue neighbors ARE among the supporters of the Angels Flight Railway Foundation's successful fundraising for the restoration of our town's historic funicular. Please read additional current news about Angels Flight at:
http://blogdowntown.com/blog/2488#c11095
-- John