Metro completed construction directly in front of the Saban Theatre’s entrance prior to the High Holy Days, but the entrance remained partially blocked from the corner of Hamilton Drive. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Members of a Beverly Hills synagogue on Wilshire Boulevard are upset about Metro construction during the High Holy Days, considered the most important period of the year by the Jewish community.

Work on the D Line subway extension project has been ongoing for years near Wilshire and La Cienega boulevards, where the first segment is scheduled to open to by the end of 2025. Construction is currently ongoing within K-rail work zones at many locations along the south side of Wilshire Boulevard between La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards.

Representatives of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts, which owns and holds services at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., said the recent work has been troublesome. During the High Holy Days, which began at sundown on Sept. 22 with Rosh Hashanah and conclude with Yom Kippur at sunset on Oct. 2, the temple welcomes large groups of congregants for special services and were told by Metro the work would be completed in front of the theater by the High Holy Days, said Kasey Carter, executive director of Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts.

“The fact is it is still a mess,” Carter added. “It’s an eyesore and we believe it is unsafe for our elderly members.”

The temple is upset about work occurring on the southeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Hamilton Drive, where portions of the sidewalk and curb areas are fenced off. Metro completed work directly in front of the Saban Theatre’s entrance prior to the start of the High Holy Days and installed a special temporary ramp in front of the venue to provide access compatible with the American Disabilities Act. However, work on the corner – directly west of the front of the theater – is still ongoing.

A permanent pedestrian ramp is being installed at the corner for American Disabilities Act compliance, and it required the de-energization of a Southern California Edison electrical box in the ground where the ramp is going, according to Metro. Known as a pull box, the underground concrete box houses the power feed for street lighting and traffic signals. Metro worked with Southern California Edison to expedite the process and quickly sought city of Beverly Hills approval for the work, but the work was unable to be completed before the High Holy Days.

“Metro’s contractor has been working as quickly as possible to complete civil restoration work within the city of Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, certain construction activities and utility work will extend beyond the High Holy Days. The sidewalk fencing around the theater is safe for pedestrians and in compliance with city standards,” Metro spokesman Dave Sotero said. “Metro has held multiple meetings with representatives of the Saban Theatre to inform them of our ongoing construction progress. We have addressed their primary concern that restoration in front of the theater be completed prior to the High Holy Days in 2025. Metro prioritized this section of work for completion, specifically along Willshire Boulevard between Hamilton Drive and Gale Drive. The Wilshire Boulevard frontage of the Saban Theatre was restored, and a portion of the temporary construction fencing was removed on Sept. 12 in advance of the theater’s requested milestone.”

Sotero said Metro wants to complete the work at the corner as quickly as possible and said extra steps were taken to ensure the front of the theater was clear and accessible.

“Because the southeast corner of Hamilton Drive and Wilshire Boulevard does not currently have a pedestrian ramp, Metro installed a temporary ramp directly in front of the Saban Theatre. The ramp was constructed with temporary asphalt and enhanced with a green grass façade to improve aesthetics. The temporary ramp is intentionally wider than required to ensure safe and convenient pedestrian passage. Beyond this location, continuous sidewalk access has been established along the entire south side of Wilshire Boulevard,” Sotero said. “Metro’s contractor does not anticipate completing street, sidewalk, curb and gutter work before Kippur on Oct. 1. Upon completion of the required SCE work, the contractor still has additional work to complete prior to casting the final sidewalk and removing the fencing in the area. We anticipate completion of all work in October.”

A crew was working at the site on Oct. 1. Metro planned to temporarily halt work in Beverly Hills on Yom Kippur, Oct. 2. A temporary pathway remains in place from Hamilton Drive providing access to the temple. Carter said workers from Southern California Edison showed up on Rosh Hashanah, but the temple’s services were held as planned without disruption. She hopes things go as smoothly on Yom Kippur.

“It’s frustrating,” Carter said. “We feel that it’s dangerous to have people walking by.”