A proposed gondola from Union Station to Dodger Stadium has advanced to a second stage of consideration, Metro announced Monday.
The transit agency confirmed that an unsolicited bid it received from Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies has advanced to a phase two, where the proposer is invited to submit a more comprehensive proposal.
Metro's unsolicited proposal policy allows the private sector to submit ideas to the agency. All proposals are subject to a phase one analysis within 60 days of being received and Metro can then choose to advance proposals to a more detailed phase two review. Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies, which is funded by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, submitted the initial bid in April.
A gondola and other options for improving access to Dodger Stadium was part of an informational study in 1990 by the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission, a precursor agency to Metro, but the idea was never pursued beyond the study, Metro said.
McCourt sold the team in 2011 but still owns half interest in the 130 acres of parking around the stadium. McCourt's investment firm would fund a portion of the project's estimated $125-million cost and would seek private financing for the remainder, the Los Angeles Times reported.
If Metro approves the phase two proposal, it could be the basis for a competitive procurement, a sole source agreement or another arrangement depending on Metro's role and relationship to the project, the agency said.
