After Underpass Fire, California to Review Land Lease Program

The state leases space under freeways to boost revenue, but their contracts are loosely enforced.

1 minute read

November 19, 2023, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View from under tall freeway overpass in Los Angeles at intersection of I-405 and I-10.

spiritofamerica / Adobe Stock

In an Associated Press article, Julie Watson and Amy Taxin describe the scrutiny facing a California program that leases property under freeways to various private entities.

The concern comes after a massive fire under a portion of Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles damaged the freeway, causing it to close for at least a week, destroying the property of street vendors stored in the same area, and displaced unhoused people taking refuge in the underpass.

Governor Newsom’s office said the state will reevaluate its leasing system, which brings in revenue for transportation projects but is loosely monitored. The contract with Apex Development Inc, which leases the land under I-10, explicitly barred the storage of flammable materials, but the company did not enforce that provision with its sublessees. Now, state officials are calling for a directory of leased sites and their contract terms.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in KXAN

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight