To Clergy & Lay Leaders of the Diocese -- Public Hearing tomorrow evening, Feb. 23
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ -- Please consider coming to tomorrow evening's CalTrans Public Hearing to express your views on the I-110 Flyover proposed in close proximity to St. John's Pro-Cathedral. Please see the photograph and message below from St. John's. Thank you for your consideration. Together in Christ, + J. Jon Bruno
Please attend the only scheduled public hearing on the I-110 Flyover to Figueroa Way on Tuesday, February 23rd from 6-8pmat the Orthopedic Institute for Children, 403 West Adams Blvd.
This is your chance to stand with stakeholders, Councilmember Curren Price, and Senator Feinstein's field staff and give voice to your concerns.
Caltrans is now claiming that this Flyover transit-way, which basically will spend $40 million in taxpayer dollars to move traffic two blocks south and saving commuters - maybe - a couple of minutes' transit time, will not have a significant impact on our University Park/West Adams environment (which contradicts their own October 2015 Finding of Adverse Effect.)
This 54 foot concrete edifice hovers over our neighborhood yet Caltrans says it will have:
No impact on the myriad historic landmarks it will tower over.
No impact on St. John's, where cars will rumble past during church services and throughout the day and night, up in the air, just yards away.
No impact on aesthetics, despite the giant concrete mass cutting off the view lines east and west on Adams Boulevard.
No traffic and circulation impact on 23rd Street, where HOV traffic will now be dumped.
No impact on the visual, atmospheric and audible elements
No impact on the connectivity of University Park's historic resources.
Caltrans is proposing approval of an "MND," which stands for "Mitigated Negative Declaration," which is considered a much lower level of environmental analysis than a full Environmental Impact Report ("EIR"). An EIR requires a full exploration of alternatives; an MND does not. WAHA, along with the Los Angeles Conservancy, St. John's Cathedral and other community stakeholders, supports nothing less than an EIR - and, frankly, we and the others oppose the project, period.
In response, the Los Angeles Conservancy has written: "The I-110 Flyover would create a new physical barrier between St. John's Cathedral and the surrounding neighborhood...degrading the overall character of the community." And St. John's Fathers and Rectors wrote, "The proposed flyover project seeks to discount our vibrant and historic neighborhood by cutting through it once again."
Please do come to the hearing!
The above announcement is provided by a coalition of groups including: WAHA (West Adams Heritage Association), St. John's Church, and the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Please note that NANDC has not yet taken a position, but will consider the recommendation of the NANDC Policy Committee at its March meeting:
Because of the impacts to historic structures, the visual blight it introduces, how this project runs counter to current City policy of promoting pedestrian friendly streets, and because it would disrupt the services and environment of the churches in the area, we would support the "no-build" alternative and the oppose the "build" alternative and support an Environmental Impact Report above the Mitigated Negative Declaration finding.
