Here is what the political and ordinary partiers were saying this morning while they waited for the Culver City Expo Light Rail Station to open:
Carol Gross, two-term former City Councilperson, visiting from her month-old home in Buellton:
“I got up at 4 to get on the road at 5 to make sure I didn’t get killed in traffic.
“I can tell you Buellton people are friendly, and the place I am living is gorgeous.”
At this moment of light rail birth, how does she feel about a grand project that she fought for but that always seemed too far into the future?
“I wouldn’t say I feel sentimental, but I am pleased to see this happen when you think back to all the work and the time that this has taken. I remember the day the Environmental Impact Report was approved in ’05. The only amendments were from Culver City, removing the at-grade station and approving the elevated station.”
The layout does not quite square with Ms. Gross’s vision. “We had envisioned it with a beautiful development” instead of an empty lot.
Sol Blumenfeld, the Community Development Director, indicated development is four years away.
Alan Corlin, a Council colleague of Ms. Gross: “Nice to see the station come to fruition. I am sure the MTA will give us everything we have coming to us.”
Steve Rose, a Council teammate of Mr. Corlin and Ms. Gross: “I don’t feel sentimental about this morning. A job was done, period. I feel the Council and staff were looking at the big picture and, thankfully, they did not get deterred by the small group of detractors who were criticizing every step of the way.”
Todd Tipton, Economic Development Administrator, Community Development Dept., talking about the state of the slightly unsmooth surface of the parking lot: “There are 600 parking spaces, it is around four acres, and the state of the lot is temporary.”
In the acronym-oriented world of urban transportation, the Washington/National Plot that houses the train station is known as a TOD, a Transit-Oriented District, a mixed project of housing and commerce.
“The idea is that a TOD project will be built here,” Mr. Tipton said. “That is why this parcel was put together.”
As for the parking lot, he said: “The material is a high-tech polymer that is mixed with the soil, a molecular material that bonds the dirt together. It is somewhat flexible and temporary in nature. From what I understand, it is used for runways in Afghanistan. It will all go away when the project is developed. The surface is temporary, and the lifetime of the material is five years’ plus.”
The length of time it took to construct the station and flip it open was a widespread theme this morning. Said young Mr. Tipton, “I am glad to see it happen in my lifetime.”
Scott Malsin, former City Councilman: “This is an incredibly exciting day. I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment, especially because we have had the aerial station built here in Culver City for Phase I of the project. That is what makes me proudest.”
Police Chief Don Pedersen: “No, the station doesn’t generate at enforcement problems although you have to be mindful of any new project and its impact on the community and the safety of residents. We are well prepared for it. This property actually is the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. But we will have a presence. We will be in the neighborhood close by.”
Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director: “I am glad the project has arrived. You expect complications on projects like this, and this one didn’t disappoint me.”
Given the crossing lines of ownership controlling the light rail station grounds, does he feel as if this is a Culver City possession?
“This is obviously Metro’s, Expo’s project,” he said. “But this is the Culver City Station, so we are going to try and take advantage of that. Future development in this area hopefully will occur, and we’ll see it’s an advantage to have the station here.”
Who is in charge of development appears to be a giant enigma wrapped snugly around the neck of City Hall, given the state’s elimination of the Redevelopment Agency last winter.
“The city had a big role, but now with Redevelopment’s demise, there is a big question mark about what we are going to be able to do.”
