Inglewood, California – In response to community opposition, the City of Inglewood announced that it will no longer move forward with its initial plan to deconstruct a Vons supermarket on Manchester Avenue as part of its proposed automated people mover system, and will instead investigate alternative locations for its vehicle maintenance facility.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the maintenance and storage facility for the people mover system will be constructed on the same property as the Market Street Station as part of the latest phase of the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project. The revised plan would prevent disruptions for more than one hundred employees on the site and save the city money since it would no longer be required to acquire the Vons property.
In addition, it would permit Vons and other attached retail spaces to remain in place. However, the new proposal would necessitate the relocation of 41 other businesses with over 300 employees during construction. Nonetheless, the city has vowed to pay for all moving expenses.
According to Southern California News Group, three technologies are being considered for the people mover system: a BYD-built monorail, a Bombardier-proposed rubber-tire tram, and a Dopplemeyer-built cable draw system. All three options involve automated vehicles traveling on a 1,6-mile elevated guideway that would run above Market Street, Manchester Avenue, and Prairie Avenue.
Plans also call for stations at Manchester Avenue and Hardy Avenue, connecting Metro’s Downtown Inglewood Station with SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers, in addition to the northern terminus on Market Street adjacent to the K Line. During NFL events, the system is anticipated to provide service as frequently as every two minutes, with normal headways of six minutes.
The Inglewood Transit Connector is a component of a broader plan for Inglewood that includes the creation of a transportation hub to accommodate the city’s expanding needs. The estimated cost of the endeavor is $1.85 billion, and Inglewood has raised more than $760 million thus far. The most recent windfall was more than $400 million awarded by the California State Transportation Agency to assist Inglewood compete for a New Starts grant from the federal government.
If the project receives Federal funding, construction could commence in 2024 and the system would be operational by 2028, when the Summer Olympic Games return to Los Angeles. The ITC predicts that up to 414 passengers will utilize the system during weekday rush hours, while up to 11,450 passengers will utilize the people mover during NFL events.
The decision to seek an alternative location for the maintenance and storage facility resulted from the community’s opposition, which included environmental concerns, traffic congestion, and the displacement of long-standing businesses. Numerous residents consider the people transport system to be unnecessary and detrimental to the community.
Opponents of the ITC have also expressed concerns regarding the impact on the area’s air quality and noise pollution. Several organizations have demanded that the city abandon the project and redirect the funds to more pressing needs, including affordable housing, education, and healthcare.
James Butts, mayor of Inglewood, defended the project by stating that it would provide residents and visitors with essential transportation options, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance air quality by reducing the number of cars on the road. In addition, he emphasized the project’s prospective economic benefits, such as job creation and increased tourism revenue.
The Inglewood Transit Connector initiative has received support from a number of influential figures, including the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and the owner of the Clippers, Steve Ballmer. Garcetti praised the initiative for its potential to increase regional connectivity and mobility. Ballmer, who has made significant investments in the area, is enthusiastic about the potential for the people mover system to provide a seamless connection between SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, the future home of his team.
Some community members who were concerned about the impact on traffic and parking are likely to applaud the decision to abandon plans for the Vons supermarket on Manchester Avenue. However, the displacement of other businesses and the possibility of additional construction-related disruptions continue to be a source of concern for many residents.
The new proposal to construct the maintenance and storage facility on the same property as the Market Street Station raises concerns regarding the project’s viability and its effect on the surrounding community. Some residents are concerned about the possibility of increased pollution and traffic in the area, as well as the displacement of long-established businesses.
The Inglewood Transit Connector project is a component of a larger initiative to revitalize the city of Inglewood and establish it as a regional transportation and entertainment center. In recent years, the city has invested significantly in the construction of SoFi Stadium, where the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers play, and Intuit Dome, where the Clippers will play in the future.
The purpose of the people mover system is to provide a convenient and efficient means for visitors to access these locations and other area attractions. However, the project’s cost and prospective impact on the surrounding community have prompted some residents and community groups to express concern.
The city has attempted to resolve these concerns by engaging with community members and holding public forums to discuss the potential impact of the project. Nonetheless, many residents remain skeptical of the project’s benefits and the city’s capacity to resolve their concerns.
Some community members will likely view the decision to abandon plans for the Vons supermarket on Manchester Avenue and pursue an alternative location for the maintenance and storage facility as a step in the correct direction. However, it remains to be seen whether the city will be able to address the concerns of all stakeholders and proceed with the project in a manner that will benefit the entire community.
