Kerry Bonas on August 29, 2011, at 08:21AM – #1

I'd love to see AEG pitch in for a large expansion of the Pico rail stop. there is a need for wider platforms and pedestrian bridges over Fig to safely support the high level of spectators they envision attending the football games and other events. Maybe the state can require funds be set aside for this purpose as part of getting around the CEQA.

Carter Rubin on August 29, 2011, at 09:57AM – #2

Nice post, Eric.

Don't forget that there's more to transit than just Metro Rail. As you note, the Regional Connector will open in 2019ish, putting Union Station one seat from Farmers Field. That puts the entire region -- Santa Barabara to San Diego, Los Angeles to Riverside -- within reach of the stadium via 350 miles of Amtrak Pacific Surfliner tracks and 500 miles of Metrolink tracks.

Then there's the entire regional bus system, which will continue to do Yeoman's work of the transit system.

I'd also like to see AEG pay to run Hollywood Bowl-style park-and-ride shuttles to fill in the gaps. LADOT's got a whole fleet of buses for its Commuter Express system that are probably just sitting idle on Sundays.

David McBane on August 29, 2011, at 11:01AM – #3

I wonder where National Research Defense Council's David Petti was when the City of Industry's proposal was getting CEQA protection. I don't remember anything about trying to force that proposal to have high public-transit ridership to it.

Scott Mercer on August 29, 2011, at 02:06PM – #4

AEG should build a private subway line connecting Farmers' Field with the 7th/Metro stop of the Red/Purple/Blue/Expo lines.

You would walk down a long hallway within the station, then take a train directly to Farmers' Field, less than a mile away. Only two stops, a "shuttle" service. AEG could build it and own it, and Metro could operate.

Would only be open around the times of events at Farmers Field/Staples/L.A. Live. Because it would be a shuttle service, it would only need small (short) trains and a minimal amount of equipment. The rest of the time they could just close a gate on the hallway leading to the shuttle train so nobody could go down there.

Dion on August 29, 2011, at 02:58PM – #5

Lets say AEG would agree to that (i dont)... i think they would want it open at all times considering Staples, Nokia, LA Live, Marriot all operate with big crowds everyday.

I think the short walk from 7th street is fine. What needs to be done is that the pico station needs a massive upgrade due to multiple lines and huge crowds, as well as a pedestrian walkway to LA Live.

Jerell Ordonio on August 29, 2011, at 03:52PM – #6

I think the regional connector and the downtown streetcar will play a HUGE role in bringing people in for not just farmers field, but for everything in downtown la. and like what carter rubin said.. you have union station which connects to all of socal... especially important is the connection to san diego.

rob on August 29, 2011, at 04:02PM – #7

@Scott Why not just have a bus shuttle. a private subway just sounds like a huge waste.

The 75% transit ridership seems like a ridiculous request. I imagine LA locals are probably going to be those most incline to take public transportation, due to the easy of it. People who live near rails or bus lines that can take them to the stadium quickly and with few transfers will make up most of the public transport attendees. Regional attendees will probably still drive. If you live in the Inland Empire or Orange County, i imagine it would still be to much of a hassle to take public transport.

Illithid Dude on August 29, 2011, at 07:49PM – #8

75% will never ever ever ever happen. 40% is pushing it. But hey, if AEG decides they want to go all out and underground the Pico Station, make bus stops nicer, and do that kind of thing, let them.

Wanderer on August 30, 2011, at 10:11AM – #9

What's the percentage of fans using transit as CenturyLink Field in Seattle? In San Francisco, around AT&T Park the initial percentage using transit or walking to baseball games was around 50%, I don't know what it is now. I was in that area last week and there were hundreds of parking spots going begging 1/2 hour before a Friday night game. The AEG site is actually closer to 7th St./ Metrocenter station than AT&T Park is to BART. With the regional connector, light rail service to the park itself will be more extensive in Los Angeles than in San Francisco.

LAofAnaheim on August 30, 2011, at 12:53PM – #10

Farmers Field will be within 1/4 mile of 7th street/Metro Center and Pico stations. That means there will be trains coming every 6-10 minutes from Long Beach, Santa Monica, Culver City, East LA, Pasadena, Hollywood, Valley, and South LA. This will probably one of the most transit friendly stadiums in the nation. You'll see the increase in transit ridership when the Expo Line opens to Culver City soon as you can imagine the amount of people in West LA who would love to take a train to downtown for a game at Staples Center. There is strong potential. 75% is pushing it...but I can see 50% being possible.

Militant Angeleno () on August 30, 2011, at 03:23PM – #11

The Militant is so there!

Just as long as it isn't the Raiders.

Tailgating? How about RAILgating!

Ginny-Marie Case on August 30, 2011, at 03:52PM – #12

As a life long Mariners fan, I can attest that I never took a car (or was a passenger in a car) that went to the Kingdome or to Safeco Field. We took the ferry and then walked over (and up) to our nosebleed seats. As for the need to tailgate in Seattle? Even if I was given the chance, I wouldn't. Why when there were and are more bars and restaurants that serve far better beer, dogs, ribs, sushi...than what you can get out the back of a truck. SoDo! Refuse to lose Baby! Refuse to lose!

Come on...we can do this. And, while we are at it, why not give back Chavez Ravine to the original families, and get some new owners who won't buy a team on credit and build a new Dodger Stadium in South Park.

(Obviously - not a football fan, but I like the revenue generated for the City)

Jared Feldman on August 30, 2011, at 07:26PM – #13

I think that Metro, AEG, and other South park developers, should partner to build a new, large underground station under the LA Central project to replace the Pico Station. This would give much better access for pedestrians and significantly improve safety for cars and trains in along Hope at that level. There proposals would create a much more dense neighborhood with large influxes of people at specific times. Much would need to be done to improve circulation and safety.

Additionally, a multi-entrance underground station would provide great economic benefits as each portal would become it's own magnate for development.

William Crandell on August 30, 2011, at 08:37PM – #14

Jared Feldman: you are right! Imagine a Sunday in December. There is a large convention underway and there are football and basketball games that day. There should be a wide pedestrian tunnel beneath Figueroa to connect into a subway station.

Why doesn't the city planning department adopt a specific plan for the blocks delineating the intersection of Hope and Pico? That is the point at which Hope kinks more to the south from off of its axis extending northeast to the facade and tower of the Central Library.

Such a plan could include some sort of a civic monument which would serve as counterpoint to the Central Library tower. Consider how the campanile at Piazza San Marco in Venice is embraced by the architecture which defines the plaza. But a monument shouldn't be any higher than 300 feet. A design competition for such a plaza and monument at this point in time is much needed. It could be the next big thing, following upon a new convention hall and stadium development.

The right concept would generate loads of excitement for Downtown.

Janna Smith on August 30, 2011, at 10:58PM – #15

@rob there are still people who take long-distance shuttles to the Hollywood Bowl from far-off(ish) locations! Especially considering how much gas you'd spend coming from another county, as well as the cost of parking (never cheap at LA Live/Staples), the much lower cost of an easy-to-use transit route could be a big draw.

I am skeptical about the alternative tailgating options, however. Having tailgaters dispersed throughout surrounding neighborhoods would pull them away from each other and away from all the hoopla (the vendors, the radio or tv booths set up outside the stadium, etc) and everything that makes it a "scene" that tailgaters are looking for. I could see them easily taking over all those private parking lots along Fig, though, or AEG creating its own designated open picnic area where people can set up their tailgates nearby, like everyone does at USC - grilling on the campus green, not anywhere near their actual cars.

P.S. I LOVE seeing all the excitement over the Downtown Streetcar that is happening in these comment sections. :)

william laffan on August 31, 2011, at 12:01PM – #16

AEG wants it all. Look at the strongarming they are engaging in over the proposed exemption from liability for lawsuits. Now is the time to exploit the leverage that the city has by demanding a transit link be added to the westside. Have them, as a condition to approval of the stadium and related conditions, agree to fund (partially or in full)light rail down Venice or Olympic( more direct than the Expo Line).

William Crandell on August 31, 2011, at 11:17PM – #17

Light rail has largely been implemented along existing railroad corridors or on new, exclusive guideways. Replacing buses with light rail trains along Venice or Olympic would only add to the congestion. L.A. is not San Francisco or Sacramento or Boston.

The dedicated curbside bus lanes along Wilshire will force traffic onto minor parallel side streets and grid lock will begin to occurr along the portion within the golden triangle, particularly in evening rush hours.