The three alternatives for the K Line Extension have been researched extensively by Metro. (photo courtesy of Metro)

Last week, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation announced the results of a study that estimated the regional benefits of one of the three potential configurations of the Metro K Line Northern Extension.

The favored route would have the underground rail follow San Vicente Boulevard north, turn east at Santa Monica Boulevard, north at Highland Avenue and ultimately meet the Red Line at the Hollywood/Highland Station. A potential addition would add one stop at the Hollywood Bowl. LAEDC said that, during its construction, the extension would generate $22.5 billion in total economic output, create – both directly and indirectly – over 123,000 jobs and generate $2.65 billion in tax dollars. The project’s completion, though, would not be until the 2040s.

“The economic benefits of the K Line Northern Extension are clear and compelling,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, said. “Communities up and down the corridor have gone without fast and reliable transit for far too long, and LAEDC has been a tremendous partner in helping us quantify the additional benefits that come with connecting these communities to jobs, health care and dozens of regional attractions.”

Horvath also sits on the Metro Board of Directors. There are two other alternatives being considered by Metro, one which would follow La Brea Avenue north and the other that would coincide with Fairfax Avenue. Each would ultimately meet up with the Hollywood/ Highland station.

“The K Line Northern Extension San Vicente-Fairfax alignment project is expected to greatly enhance mobility for residents and visitors alike, delivering substantial economic and fiscal benefits during both the construction and operational phases,” senior director of LAEDC Institute of Applied Economics Shannon Sedgwick said. “Although the economic impacts from ongoing operations and ridership are more modest compared to the significant one-time effects of construction, their value is long-lasting.”

The San Vicente-Fairfax option is favored by not just Horvath, but by the city of West Hollywood, as the configuration would go directly through the city’s business artery of Santa Monica Boulevard.

“I’ve been fighting to bring a Metro line to West Hollywood for a long time. The K Line extension has been studied,” West Hollywood Councilman John Heilman said. “The best alternative [is] the one north to Santa Monica and San Vicente and heads toward Hollywood. It serves the most riders and will provide an economic boost and a tremendous transportation option for our community. With Supervisor Horvath in office, we have a real chance to make this a reality. However, many of our businesses are hurting now. We can’t wait until Metro is built to address the needs of our businesses. The economic study provided some short- and longer-term strategies to reinvigorate our businesses and support additional employment opportunities. We need to start implementing these strategies now.”

Once completed, it is estimated that annual ridership would create an economic output of nearly $500 million. The K Line Extension was officially approved by Metro during its Oct. 23 board meeting. Which of the three alignments will be chosen, however, is an ongoing discussion.

“Metro has and will continue to work closely with Director Horvath’s office on the K Line Northern Extension Project and will partner with local agencies on the identification of additional funding and financing strategies per the Measure M Early Project Delivery Strategy,” Metro media relations manager Patrick Chandler said. “Metro is currently reviewing all public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. To respond to community concerns and requests for more information regarding proposed tunnels under the historic neighborhoods of LaFayette Square and Wellington Square, Metro is conducting additional alignment analysis and studies to evaluate potential refinements to the alignment between I-10 and Venice Blvd. After the completion of studies, Metro will share findings with the community to receive feedback. This input will help inform the next steps in the project, including the development of a staff recommendation for the future selection of an LPA by the Metro Board.”

West Hollywood Councilwoman Lauren Meister stressed the importance of supporting local businesses during the K Line construction phase, recalling when the city installed medians over 20 years ago along Santa Monica Boulevard and many local businesses were negatively impacted by the two-year construction.

“It is going to take a while before the K Line is built – they’re still doing studies – and if and when it’s under construction, we really must consider the potential impacts to our business community,” Meister said. “Regarding transportation options, some realistic ones exist right now. For example, we can think about expanding our Cityline Commuter bus, which currently has express service to the Hollywood and Highland Metro station. I would advocate for adding a La Cienega route [for Cityline], which could stop at Metro stations on La Cienega, as well as loop around LAX. I think that could also be of great economic benefit to West Hollywood, especially for when all of these large-scale events come to LA, like the World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympics and Paralympics. Mayor Erickson and I plan to bring an item forward soon regarding this option.”

“We need this train,” West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson said. “We have to support this train, and we have to make sure that Metro not only chooses this path, but then also we go out there and get the federal, statewide and local funding available to make it a reality.”