California Construction News staff writer
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) has released an economic impact analysis showing significant local and regional benefits of the San Vicente-Fairfax alignment alternative for the Metro K Line North project. Conducted in partnership with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, the report concludes the project will “spur economic growth” in West Hollywood and across the region.
The LAEDC’s findings will help inform the upcoming decision by the Metro Board on the route for the K Line North project. The board is also considering additional funding for further technical analysis and public outreach related to the project.
In October 2024, Metro approved up to $2.3 million to support the project’s environmental review process, including strategies to reduce the number of residential properties affected by the project in South Los Angeles.
According to the report, the San Vicente-Fairfax route for the Metro K Line North is expected to:
- Generate $22.5 billion in total economic output,
- Create 123,280 jobs in Los Angeles County,
- Generate an estimated $9.7 billion in labor income,
- Support 3,400 tourism industry jobs and more than 4,000 economy-wide jobs from ongoing K Line North operations,
- Increase the county’s gross product by more than $300 million annually.
- Economic Impact in West Hollywood
“We are excited to see the K Line North generate substantial economic activity for West Hollywood,” said West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister. “The project will create thousands of jobs, drive local business growth, and provide better mobility for our residents.”
If the San Vicente-Fairfax route is selected, the project will link Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Central Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and the San Fernando Valley. The line will provide better access to major healthcare centers, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and cultural destinations like The Grove and the Hollywood Bowl.
The City of West Hollywood has partnered with advocacy groups such as West Hollywood Advocates for Metro Rail (WHAM) and the All on Board Coalition to build momentum for the K Line North. These efforts include a proposal to accelerate the completion of the project by up to 20 years.
“Speeding up the timeline for K Line North is crucial to addressing our city’s transportation needs and creating a more sustainable future,” said Mayor Meister.
The City of West Hollywood has also released a video, Finish the Line: A Route to Connect More People to More Places, to explain the benefits of the San Vicente-Fairfax route alternative. The video refers to the project’s previous name, the Crenshaw/LAX Line.
For more information visit www.weho.org/metro.
For further details, contact David Fenn, senior planner for the City of West Hollywood, at (323) 848-6336 or via email at df***@we**.org.
