California high-speed rail under review, Wildfire eviction protections, and more

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appeared this week at Los Angeles Union Station to announce a compliance review of funding committed to the under-construction California high speed rail system. A news release from the Department of Transportation indicates that the focus of the review will be $4 billion allocated to the project by the Biden administration.

The high-speed rail project, which has proceeded slower and with a much higher price tag than expected, has long served as a political punching bag for members of California's Republican Congressional delegation, who appeared along side Duffy and the news conference. Nonetheless, a recent poll indicates the project still enjoys the support of 54 percent of Californians, some of whom flocked to Union Station and attempted to drown out Duffy's remarks.

California's other high-speed rail project, Brightline West, does not appear to be caught in the crossfire. A news release lauded progress on the $12-billion project, which is set to connect Las Vegas with Southern California, and has also received billions in federal funding. Brightline West, in the works for two decades, held a groundbreaking ceremony last year, though heavy construction has yet to commence along Interstate 15. The project's backers recently announced that construction of the 218-mile high-speed train would not be completed until after the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Cain International has announced a new partnership with VICI Properties and Eldridge Industries, infusing a new $300-million investment into the massive One Beverly Hills development now taking shape between Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards. When completed, the project will include:

• a 10-story, 78-suite Aman hotel with a 100,000-square-foot private club;
• approximately 30,000 square feet of commercial space;
• subterranean parking for roughly 1,900 vehicles; and
• no more than 200 luxury condominiums.

Here's what we're reading this week:

Real estate losses from fires top $30 billion, from old mobile homes to $23-million mansions "The analysis, comparing Cal Fire’s assessments of buildings destroyed and damaged with Los Angeles County Assessor parcel records, gives new perspective to the extent of the toll on the two communities. The fires destroyed structures on 56% of all the properties making up the Pacific Palisades. Nearly half of properties in Altadena were destroyed." (LA Times)

Farmers announces initial $600-million loss for Los Angeles fires "The blazes are expected to be the most costly wildfires in the nation’s history, with insurers possibly paying as much as $45 billion in claims. Ratings agency S&P Global expects it to raise property insurance rates or reduce coverage options in the state." (LA Times)

LA may get wildfire eviction protections countywide. Here’s what we know "The protections, which mirror COVID-era eviction rules, tap into countywide powers available to supervisors during an emergency." (LAist)

Trump funding freeze halts key environmental projects in Los Angeles area  "About $28 million in federal grants are in limbo, halting tree-planting and jeopardizing jobs" (Daily Breeze)

The Original Pantry Cafe owner threatens to close historic diner over union contract dispute "After former Mayor Richard Riordan’s death in 2023, the Richard J Riordan Administrative Trust took ownership of the Original Pantry Cafe. For months now, the trust has been in the process of selling the Pantry. Unite Here Local 11, which represents the restaurant workers, tried to renegotiate a contract, demanding the trust keep the employees and their union representation even if the restaurant were sold to new owners." (LA Times)

State’s lawsuit against Norwalk to move forward "Norwalk was sued by the state in November, when the city council issued a moratorium to temporarily stop the development of new emergency shelters and transitional housing. The state argues the moratorium violates multiple state housing laws including The Housing Crisis Act, which prohibits cities from restricting housing development." (Norwalk Patriot)

Could this Irvine neighborhood be the blueprint for a more fire-resistant L.A.? "It starts with the fuel modification zone — open space around the community that can be modified to reduce fire risk by replacing combustible vegetation with fire-resistant shrubs. Orchard Hills’ zone is filled with prickly pear cacti, Japanese honeysuckle and Formosa firethorn." (LA Times)

Caltrans wants your thoughts on making a stretch of the dreaded Arroyo Seco Parkway safer "The overall goal of the proposed project is to help bring one of the country’s oldest freeways up to speed by improving some of the set-up and safety....The stop sign on-ramps, narrow lanes and sharp turns can be a recipe for accidents, or at least an anxiety-inducing drive for those traveling between L.A. and Pasadena." (LAist)

This block by UCLA is now the biggest pedestrian-only plaza in L.A. "Westwood’s Broxton Plaza—which is now closed to cars—will host its grand opening this weekend with free activities." (Time Out)

Affordable housing in the San Fernando Valley advances despite opposition from Bass, City Council "In June 2023, Bass changed her signature executive order on speeding construction of affordable housing to block proposals on single-family zoned sites after neighborhood pushback. Legal challenges cleared the way for approval for some developments submitted before Bass revised her order." (LA Times)

Rick Caruso nonprofit plans 80 to 100 modular homes for those most impacted by wildfires (ABC7)

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