Red Line Gets Holiday Green
Downtown and Hollywood hopes late-night ridership connects the two entertainment districts
Helen Ly
The 7th Street Metro Center is the station that feeds L.A. Live, Staples Center and the Nokia Theater
Dinner on one end of the line, an event on the other. That's what Downtown and Hollywood's businesses and property-owners believe in, and are so bullish on a night life connecting the two districts in two months they lobbied and raised funds so the Metro Red Line can provide late-night holiday service: The party begins Nov. 21.
The Red Line Holiday program will extend late-night service from Union Station to North Hollywood until 3 a.m on Friday and Saturday nights between Nov. 21 and the end of the year, adding to Metro’s traditional all-night service on New Year’s Eve, reports blogdowntown, who adds that the project was “a monumental feat given the complexity of dealing with two government entities and the need to raise private funds.”
At a Metro Board meeting held Sept. 25, the project was ready to be approved, yet based on concerns by Metro Board of Director member, County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Friday was the deadline for actual checks be collected from sponsors. Councilmember Jose Huizar’s office, who are also overseeing the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, handled the organization and collection of sponsors contributions.
Sponsors who provided funding include 213 Ventures; LA Live; Staples Center; Bringing Back Broadway; The Orpheum Theatre; The Los Angeles Theatre; Historic Downtown Business Improvement District; Club Nokia; and NBC Universal. Also kicking in are Los Angeles City Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Jose Huizar, Wendy Greuel and Jan Perry.
