Metrolink fares rise, California condos dying, and more

This week marked the completion of  Together California: A Village for Brothers and Sisters, a new foster home project in Palmdale which will keep siblings together. 

The village, which was co-founded by actor Christian Bale, along with his wife Sibi Bale, Dr. Eric Esrailian, and Tim McCormick, took 18 years of planning. It includes 12 townhomes, designed by AC Martin, as well as a 7,000-square-foot community building and two studio units for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

“Together California is a rare opportunity to embody a mission with deep purpose—an eco-conscious village shaped by Palmdale’s natural forms and climate—in the built form,” said AC Martin chief executive officer Tom Hsieh. “The homes, courtyards, and communal spaces support foster youth with thoughtful spatial planning, sustainable strategies, and a blend of architectural delight and functionality. It’s a modern, resilient environment where architecture uplifts lives and fosters long-term growth.”

Here's what we're reading this week:

El Segundo: SpaceX and the triumphant takeoff of ‘The Gundo’ "...the refinery town tucked beside LAX has reinvented itself as a dense high-tech hub, anchored by SpaceX spinoffs, Mattel, white-collar firms and pro sports facilities." (LA Times)

Subway construction crews stay busy in September "Construction continues at the Beverly Drive Station in Beverly Hills and the Century City Station, which are scheduled to open next spring. Work is also ongoing at the Westwood/UCLA Station and Westwood/VA Hospital Station, which are planned to open in fall 2027." (Beverly Press)

The California condo is dying. Can this affordable housing option be saved? "Many housing advocates and lawmakers say a major cause of that downturn is a complex law from 2002 that has led to frequent and expensive lawsuits from condo owners." (LA Times)

Waves demolished this beach and tore at homes’ foundations: why this storm was different "Hurricane Marie ripped through the Peninsula’s regular defenses, leaving residents racing to save their homes." (Long Beach Post)

A bus lane through Eagle Rock is slated to open before the Olympics. Will it hurt businesses? "Transit advocates say the route will improve the area; many residents and business owners fear it will create more traffic and upend the area’s small-town charm." (LA Times)

Metrolink Fare Increase to Take Effect October 5 "Riders will pay approximately 14 percent more for Metrolink regional rail service" (Streetsblog LA)

Student housing investors bet on fewer universities "Southern California illustrates the opportunity created when enrollment and housing supply diverge. According to CoStar data, UCLA and USC enroll nearly 87,000 full-time students but together provide only about 29,200 university-owned beds." (CoStar)

VA homeless housing in West L.A. estimated to cost a record $1.25 million per unit "A long-promised makeover of the VA’s West L.A.’s historic Building 13 will create just 24 units of homeless veteran housing at an estimated $1.25 million per apartment, likely a record-setting cost." (LA Times)