710 Tunnel on Metro’s Agenda;
Opposing Communities Host Forums 1


A tunnel connecting the 710 to the 210 has made it to the narrowed list of alternatives consultants will likely present to the Metro board on September 27 (See Sunroom Desk’s Friday post for details). Charged with “relieving congestion and improving mobility” in northeastern LA County, consultants have included a tunnel even though many communities along the route are calling for 21st century, transit-oriented solutions. The No 710 Action Committee now has the website No710.com up with detailed objections to the tunnel, its environmental impacts, its costs, and its purpose as a truck route.

Pasadena, El Sereno, and South Pasadena will all be holding community meetings ahead of September 27. Glendale Council member Ara Najarian will be a featured panel member at both the Pasadena meeting (tomorrow night, Tuesday, at the Pasadena Convention Center), and the South Pasadena meeting (next Wednesday, September 26). (See below for meeting details – meetings are also listed on the home page of No710.com).

From the No 710 Action Committee: These three meetings are NOT hosted by Metro or their public relations contractor. In addition, LA City Councilman Jose Huizar, who recently spearheaded the resolution adopted unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council to oppose highway alternatives and the tunnel, will co-host a community meeting in El Sereno. Take advantage of some of these opportunities to learn more about Metro’s plans:

September 18, Tuesday 7-8:45 PM
Pasadena SR 710 Community Forum
Pasadena Convention Center Ballroom
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101

Overflow rooms 101-105 on the lower level
District 6 sponsored event
There is free parking on neighboring blocks. Parking at Paseo Colorado is free for
1.5 hours with validation and at the Convention Center Garage for a $5 flat rate.

The purpose of this FORUM is to hear from experts and give them an opportunity to respond to residents’ concerns and to help educate its residents as well as those from surrounding communities about the reality of the tunnel proposal.
•Pasadena City Councilman Steve Madison will be the moderator.
•METRO has agreed to provide a speaker, as yet unnamed, who will describe the tunnels and other alternatives now under consideration for the EIS/EIR.
•Dr. Rob McConnell from USC will speak to health problems resulting from freeways.
•Dr. Ken Hudnut, from the U.S. Geological Survey, will speak to the challenges of building the tunnels through the Raymond Fault and the two aquifers.
•Susan Mossman will speak briefly on continuing concerns about possible demolitions and damage to historic properties.
•Dr. John Seinfeld from Caltech will speak to pollution issues resulting from freeways.
•Ara Najarian, a City Councilman from Glendale and a member of the METRO Board, will speak about the challenges he sees – particularly regarding the funding of this project.

Short statements from these panelists will be followed by questions collected from the audience. All questions will be submitted in writing to the moderator. Given Metro’s recent decision to eliminate some routes through Pasadena, the panelists will focus on the remaining alternatives affecting the Pasadena Avenue (Meridian route for tunnel) and Fair Oaks corridor.

September 19, Wednesday 6:30 PM
Metro SR 710 Study Community Meeting
Co Host Councilmember Huizar
Highland Park Senior Center

6152 N. Figueroa AV
-LOCATION CHANGE:
El Sereno Senior Center
4818 Klamath Place
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(El Sereno Council Office: 323-226-1646)

September 26, Wednesday 7 PM
South Pasadena SR-710 Informational Meeting
South Pasadena High School Auditorium
1401 Fremont Avenue
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Large parking lot adjacent to High School, but carpooling recommended due to anticipated large turnout.

Hosted by the City of South Pasadena, the purpose of this forum is to educate the residents of South Pasadena and surrounding communities on recent activities leading to the latest alternatives to relieve congestion now being studied by Metro. You will learn where we are in the process, why our cities are still at risk and what comes next. The forum will bring city officials, land use and transportation experts together with the public to discuss the merits and pitfalls of the proposed alternatives.

In addition to the South Pasadena City Council, the following will be speaking and answering your questions:
•Ara Najarian, Metro Board Director & Glendale City Council member
•Anthony Portantino, Assembly member 44th District
•Jeffrey Tumlin, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Transportation Planners
•Doug Carstens, South Pasadena Legal Counsel
•Mark Vallianatos, Urban & Environmental Policy, Occidental College
•Donald Voss, La Cañada Flintridge City Council member
•Jose Huizar, Metro Board Director & La City Council member
•Steve Madison, Pasadena City Council member
•Scott Fruin, PhD, USC Division of Environmental Health

The following two are Metro Meetings:

September 27, Thursday 9:00 AM
Metro Board Meeting

Metro Building
One Gateway Plaza
3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
323-466-3876

October 3, Wednesday 9:00 AM
Metro’s TAC (Technical Advisory Committee)

LA County Department of Public Works
Conference Rm D
900 So. Fremont Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803
626-458-5100

Please take special note of the two Open House meetings in October. Details of the alternatives selected for in-depth study during the EIR/EIS process will be presented. These are the only Open Houses scheduled — they will not be repeated in other cities.

October 18 Thursday 6 PM-8 PM
Community Open Houses:
Discussion of Alternatives Recommended for EIR/EIS
El Sereno Senior Center
4818 Klamath Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90032

October 20 Saturday 10 AM-12 PM
Community Open Houses:
Discussion of Alternatives Recommended for EIR/EIS
Maranatha High School
169 S. Saint John Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105


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Opposing Communities Host Forums

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