California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Review Process Los Angeles Union Station Forecourt and Esplanade Improvements constitute a Project Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is the Lead Agency Proposed Project is evaluated in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Draft EIR circulated for 45-day Public Review Period: August 11 September 25, 2017 Workshop Project Description Existing Conditions Summary of Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures Accepting Comments Final EIR to be presented to Metro Board in early 2018 Includes Draft EIR, Comments, Response to Comments, and Clarifications and Revisions
2011: Metro acquired Union Station 2012-2014: Master Planning Process 2015: Metro secured $12.3 million Active Transportation Program (ATP) 2015 grant for Alameda Esplanade 2016: $3.2 million ATP grant for Los Angeles Crossing with $2.2 million matching funds provided by Metro January 26, 2017: Metro hosted EIR Scoping Meeting January to August 2017: Stakeholder Coordination and Briefings May to August 2017: Initiated concurrent environmental review with Caltrans under the National Environmental Policy Act August 2017: Release of Draft EIR Project Background
The Project
Project Area
Existing Conditions
Pedestrian Collisions
Protect and enhance Los Angeles Union Station as a national historic resource Prioritize connectivity, convenience, and safety for the most vulnerable users Advance desirable and accessible public space at the LAUS forecourt that creates a visually porous and permeable connection Facilitate alternatives to driving by providing infrastructures that enable more walking and bicycling Enhance the safety and quality of pedestrian and bicycle connections consistent with the City s Vision Zero Initiative Advance sustainability Advance comprehensive planning for Los Angeles Union Station that leverages it as the major regional transportation hub, a destination, and one of the city s foremost landmarks. Project Objectives
Safety Improvements for Pedestrians & Cyclists at High Injury Network location: Reduced crossing distances across Alameda & Los Angeles Streets Reduction in vehicle/pedestrian conflict locations Increased visibility for crossing pedestrians & cyclists Pedestrian & bicycle capacity & connectivity improved via widened sidewalks & esplanade (off-street multi-use path) Enhanced urban design integrates Union Station with El Pueblo and surrounding communities Key Project Benefits
Alameda Esplanade and LAUS Forecourt
Los Angeles Crossing
Arcadia Street-El Pueblo Tour Bus Parking
California Environmental Quality Act Draft Environmental Impact Report
Notice of Preparation; Public Scoping Period; Scoping Meeting Preparation of Draft EIR Public Review of Draft EIR December 22, 2016 January 31, 2017 Summer 2017 August 11, 2017 September 25, 2017 LA Metro Board Considers Final EIR Early 2018 Preparation of Responses to Public Comments and Final EIR October November 2017 Public Workshop* September 13, 2017 Notice of Determination Filed = Public Participation Stage Early 2018 * = Current Stage in Process Metro is engaged in a parallel analysis with Caltrans under NEPA for elements with ATP funding CEQA Timeline
Summary of CEQA Impact Areas
Cultural Resources
Use board layout Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Use board layout Biological Resources
Traffic and Transportation
Coordinated with City of Los Angeles DOT to determine their preferred analysis approach Analyzed broad study area around station (41 signalized intersections) based on direction from LADOT Coordinated with Caltrans on off-ramp analysis methodology EIR Analysis Approach
Study Intersections Study Intersections
Project - AM Impacts 9 significant impacts total Project - AM Impacts
11 significant impacts Project - PM Impacts
Project Alternatives
Alternative 2 Full Closure
7 significant impacts total 7 removed Impact reduced to less than significant compared with Project 5 added Significant impact found at new intersection not impacted by the Project Alternative 2 - AM Project Impacts
4 significant impacts total 9 removed Impact reduced to less than significant compared with Project 2 added Significant impact found at new intersection not impacted by the Project Alternative 2 - PM Project Impacts
Alternative 3 Restricted Left Turns on Los Angeles St
5 significant impacts total 7 removed Impact reduced to less than significant compared with Project 3 added Significant impact found at new intersection not impacted by the Project Alternative 3 - AM Project Impacts
8 significant impacts total 8 removed Impact reduced to less than significant compared with Project 5 added Significant impact found at new intersection not impacted by the Project Alternative 3 - PM Project Impacts
Alameda Lane Repurposing Arcadia Lane Repurposing Significant Intersection Impacts Project Included All-Day Bus Parking 9 (AM) 11 (PM) Alternative 1 - No Project Not included Not included None Alternative 2 -Full Closure of Los Angeles St Included Off Peak Bus Parking Only 7 (AM) 4 (PM) Alternative 3 - Restricted Left Turns on Los Angeles St Included Off-Peak Bus Parking Only 5 (AM) 8 (PM) Alternatives Summary (Traffic)
Next Steps
September December 2017: Continued Coordination and Briefings with Stakeholders September 13, 2017, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Draft EIR Workshop Solicit Input September 25, 2017 5:00 p.m.: End of Public Comment Period January 2018: Final EIR 1 st Quarter 2018: Metro Board consideration of Final EIR and Project 1 st Quarter 2018: Caltrans (on behalf of FHWA) consideration of environmental documentation and Project Elements subject to NEPA 1 st to 2 nd Quarter 2018: Design process and public engagement Early 2020: Construction anticipated, if approved Next Steps
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Environmental Review Process Submit written comments (email or mail) during the 45 day public comment period. Provide comments at workshop or send comments to: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Elizabeth Carvajal, Metro Senior Manager LAUS Forecourt and Esplanade Improvements One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-23-4 Los Angeles, California 90012-2952 Email: CarvajalE@Metro.net The Draft EIR will be available for review at three locations: Los Angeles Main Library Chinatown Branch Library 630 West 5th Street 639 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90071 Los Angeles, CA 90012 The Metro project website: https://www.metro.net/about/union-station/la-union-station-forecourt-and-esplanade/ Provide Input