Previewing the Regional Connector, First and Broadway Park woes, and more

Preview: Regional Connector Take a speedy, timelapse trip through the new Downtown L.A. subway tunnel that opens on June 16 (Metro - YouTube)

Torrance backs out of proposed South Bay bike path network with Redondo Beach "The project, funded by Metro’s Measure M transit funds, is part of the South Bay Bicycle Coalition Plus’s Bicycle Master Plan, which seven South Bay cities approved in 2012. It aims to create safer roadways for cyclists and pedestrians by creating a more than 200-mile network of bike paths in El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance....Torrance officials say they voted against the bike path because of significant opposition from the community. They also said the city has for years worked to expand its network of bike paths — and will continue doing so." (Daily Breeze)

‘Good things are coming?’ Likely not at this empty lot in DTLA “It's supposed to cost $28 million. The city says it doesn't have $28 million to complete the park. My question would be: Could we do something a bit more modest in scale? Doesn't have to have a two-story restaurant and cafe complex, for example. And maybe [instead] a pop-up restaurant or a coffee cart?” (KCRW)

‘Godzilla next door’: How California developers gained new leverage to build more homes "WS Communities put forward its not-so-modest proposal at a moment when it had extreme leverage over the city thanks to a new interpretation of a 33-year-old housing law. Santa Monica’s state-required housing plan had expired and its new plan had yet to be approved. According to the law, in that non-compliance window, developers can exploit the so-called builder’s remedy, in which they can build as much as they want wherever they want so long as at least 20% of the proposed units are set aside for lower income residents. (CalMatters)

One Metro worker revived 21 riders overdosing on opioids. He’s not alone "The transit worker saw so many overdoses he began going to a clinic on his way to work to get more doses of naloxone, commonly known by the brand Narcan. Metro had no clear policy on whether its workers can administer the drug, he said. But he couldn’t bear to watch people die needlessly....In 15 months, he has revived 21 people. The Times verified most of the claims through time-stamped photographs and witnesses." (LA Times)

Eyes on the Station: New Metal Barriers Funnel Riders at MacArthur Park Station "Metro recently installed new temporary metal barriers channel riders into three separate streams: one entering toward the platform, two exiting toward the street" (Streetsblog LA)

Landslide stops rail service in San Clemente area for second time this year "The landslide is the second this year in southern Orange County to halt rail service on tracks used by Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains." (NBC 4)

American Dream Deferred: The Effects of Credit Worthiness on Mortgage Access for Racialized Minorities in Los Angeles County "Homeownership is central to creating and growing wealth in the United States, but access to this wealth-generating vehicle is limited for households of color. In 2022, homeownership rates for Latinos and communities of color continue to lag behind whites. The mortgage industry is a central driver of this racial and ethnic stratification in homeownership. Ample research demonstrates that the unequal treatment of racialized minorities has created differentials in access to low-cost loan products that facilitate the American Dream of homeownership. Despite anti-discrimination laws and regulations, access to homeownership remains elusive for households of color." (UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute)

California's loathed 'Mansion Tax' falls flat in first full month in effect "Implemented in April on properties over $5M, the ULA Tax was intended to bring in an average of $56M in revenue per month to the city of L.A. During its first month, it brought in just $3.6M" (Inman)