On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Metro hosted a community business meeting to address future street closures and inform business owners about two programs to ease the pain during the Purple Line Extension construction.

Metro construction continues at Wilshire Boulevard and Orange Drive. Metro staff is working to help businesses affected by the scheduled road closures.
(photo by Patricia Sanchez)

A 22-weeked closure along Wilshire Boulevard will start in June. Vertical support piles will be installed along the edges of the street and steel beams will be placed across the construction area on top of the piles.

“It’s a difficult situation, but it’s easier for people to prepare when they’re informed,” said Kasey Shuda, construction relations manager for the Purple Line Extension. “It’s the surprises that cause problems.”

Increased traffic, fewer parking spaces and lost revenue resulting from construction are some of the main concerns raised by business owners.

The Business Interruption Fund (BIF) and the “Eat, Shop, Play” program are two ways Metro is reaching out to businesses affected by construction.

According to Michael Cortez, Metro senior construction relations officer, “Eat, Shop, Play” is a way for Metro and business owners to encourage residents to “shop local.”

“We held this meeting to inform business owners about upcoming construction, but we also want to help the businesses as much as we can,” Cortez said. “With Eat, Shop, Play, business owners can take an active role in keeping their active.”

Through the program, businesses benefit from extra signage and online promotions. Patrons can win prizes by shopping locally as well.

Shalondra Baldwin, deputy executive officer for Metro said the BIF provides financial assistance to smaller businesses in the area that meet certain requirements. The program is subsidized by public funds, and Baldwin said it’s a way to provide financial assistance to businesses directly affected by construction.

To qualify, a business must be for-profit, employ 25 or fewer employees and must be located directly adjacent to the rail corridor or Metro construction.

While some business owners were upset with the strict requirements, Baldwin explained why they’re necessary.

“It’s a program that’s not required by Metro,” Baldwin said. “With that in mind, and because we’re using public funds, we must be able to demonstrate construction has an immediate impact on [businesses] to use public funds. It’s not a matter of caring about a certain area over another.”

Metro also plans to launch a website in March that will update people about construction progress.

Current Metro construction on the north side of Wilshire Boulevard will continue through April, and Metro will transition to construction on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard through the summer.

“Wilshire [Boulevard] is in the decking phase, which means we’re basically ripping up the streets curb to curb from Detroit to Orange Street,” Shuda said.

Jeong Choi, who owns Mi Hair Longue at 5001 Wilshire Blvd., said construction has already disrupted his business.

“Construction has blocked the shopping center on the corner of Highland [Avenue] where my business is,” Choi said. “There are about 15 businesses affected and everyone is complaining. I want to see what is going to happen with future construction and what they are doing to help the business owners.”

Choi said his hair salon is especially busy during the weekends, and he fears future closures will affect his business even more.

“I am going to apply for the [BIF], but I’m still concerned. I’m sure if my application is accepted, it will help, but there’s still the fact that I’m losing business,” Choi said.

Roads will be closed along Wilshire Boulevard from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. During the first three weekends, Detroit Street to La Brea Avenue will be closed, followed by a three-week closure of the La Brea Avenue intersection at Wilshire Blvd.

The first section of Metro’s three-section plan along Wilshire Boulevard to La Cienega Boulevard will be under construction until 2023 and will open in 2024. Shuda said Metro encourages people to sign up for online updates and attend future community meetings.

“It’s important for Metro and the community to work together during this time,” Shuda said. “We want businesses to stay intact during this time.”

Business owners can visit purplelineext@metro.net for information about programs and the 22-weekend closure.