A proposal in Los Angeles to construct an elevated gondola system to carry people between Union Station and Dodger Stadium cleared a legal hurdle when a judge rejected a charitable group’s bid to block the project.
(Bloomberg) — A proposal in Los Angeles to construct an elevated gondola system to carry people between Union Station and Dodger Stadium cleared a legal hurdle when a judge rejected a charitable group’s bid to block the project.
California Endowment had sued, claiming the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority didn’t follow its rules in entering into a memorandum of agreement with Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies LLC to pursue the viability of the project.
ARTT is an entity created by former Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt’s McCourt Global Inc. According to its proposal, as many as 5,000 people could be moved each hour over the 1.2-mile (1.6-kilometer) route, reducing congestion in downtown Los Angeles and for the 2028 Olympics.
California Endowment, which would have a station with a 195-foot tall tower supporting the gondola next to its headquarters, claims the proposal would end up being a private tourist attraction and not a public transportation link.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff disagreed with the charitable group. In an 18-page opinion on Monday, he said, “Metro argues petitioner’s view of aiding ‘public transportation’ is unduly restrictive. The court agrees.”
The judge cited evidence that showed there would be a 20% to 25% drop in private automobile trips to and from Dodger Stadium on an average game day for the Major League Baseball team.
Beckloff also noted that Metro hasn’t accepted or approved any proposed project, but only considered ARTT’s unsolicited proposal and committed to negotiating with the company.
California Endowment said it was disappointed with the judge’s ruling.
“The court failed to hold Metro accountable for not following its own rules for procurement and community participation, which puts taxpayer dollars at risk,” Sarah Reyes, a spokesperson for the group, said in an emailed statement.
“This project will place an undue and unjustifiable burden on vulnerable communities along its path,” she said. “It is a waste of public resources, will NOT reduce traffic or emissions and will likely put taxpayers on the hook to pay for it.”
Metro has released a 7,877-page draft environmental impact report which is out for public review and comment now.
The case is The California Endowment v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority, 22STCP01030. Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County.
(Updates with comment from California Endowment in eighth paragraph)
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