Might Councilman Foot-Dragging Doom a Complete Street Project for Downtown L.A.?

With cycle tracks, bus only lanes, new transit waiting areas, and other pedestrian amenities, the complete street makeover planned for Figueroa Street could provide a model for how to retrofit sections of the city's auto-oriented infrastructure for a multi-modal future. But with a deadline to start construction on the $20 million project looming at the end of the year, comments made by the new city councilmember representing the area surrounding the project at a recent public discussion have advocates concerned about its future.

"During the session at the Financial District offices of the firm HMC Architects, Ninth District City Councilman Curren Price called the project, also known as MyFigueroa, 'promising,' and said he does not want to see it delayed. However, he also said he believes more questions need to be answered," reports Donna Evans. "Price recently filed a motion that asks the city departments of Planning and Transportation to provide an in-depth analysis to the City Council on how to mitigate the traffic congestion caused by the removal of auto lanes on South Figueroa Street."

"Transportation reform advocate Deborah Murphy, executive director of Los Angeles Walks, said she saw a lot of synergy between Price’s goal of economic development and the MyFigueroa project. But the ticking clock for funding is worrisome, she said."