With California’s population expected to reach 45 million by 2050, our state’s transportation future must be defined by the growth of smart transit, not new parking spaces. Last month, Governor Newsom signed AB 2097 into law, which will end mandating additional parking spaces as part of new developments near transit. This action is a significant step in facilitating the development of lower cost housing in proximity to transit. But this is just half of the battle.
While we have much work to do in Los Angeles County in regards to building affordable housing in close proximity to public transit, we are also playing catch-up in regards to building transit near the destinations where people are working and where people want to go.
We live in a region with countless attractions – from the Hollywood Bowl to the Rose Bowl to the Santa Monica Pier – but far too few of LA’s most coveted destinations – for locals and tourists alike – are easy to get to via rail.
LA Metro has recognized this quandary and is trying to remedy this. As they build out a system that is envisioned to double in size over the next 30 years, a key focus is on building stations that get people where they want to go. For example, in a couple years, a People Mover will soon connect transit to LAX and the D Line will create easy access to LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the LaBrea Tar Pits.
That’s a good start – but we must not forget about a location that has seen a more significant transformation over the past few years than any other part of our region – the City of Inglewood.
With the rebirth of the Kia Forum, the opening of Sofi Stadium and the construction of the Intuit Dome – Prairie Ave now boasts more large-scale entertainment venues than any other part of our county and perhaps the country. And this transformation is far from complete. Thousands of units of housing and millions of square feet of commercial space, studios and office spaces are in the works. The region is coming to Inglewood for jobs, for housing and for entertainment. And it is incumbent upon us, to make sure that they get there with ease – not congested streets and cramped parking spots.
The Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) would accomplish exactly that – an automated transit system that would connect directly from Metro’s Downtown Inglewood K Station to the front doors of world-class entertainment venues, vibrant, technology-driven commercial zones and new mixed-use and modern housing opportunities.
The Inglewood venues will host the opening and closing ceremonies along with a range of athletic events at the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a once in a generation opportunity to showcase Inglewood’s renaissance and inspire athletes and fans around the world for generations to come. After the games have ended, the ITC will become a global model of sustainability, improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while being part of what will arguably become the coolest sports and entertainment district in the world.
The ITC will be shovel ready next year with a planned opening by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, assuming necessary state and federal funding is secured. As the state gears up to allocate additional funding for urban transit projects, the Inglewood Transit Connector should be their top and most timely priority.
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor represents the cities and communities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lenox, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Venice, West Athens, Westchester and Westmont in Los Angeles County.
Connect with Assemblymember McKinnor on social media: @AsmTinaMcKinnor
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