JACL PSW Mobilizes Youth to Outreach to Local Businesses about METRO Regional Connector

During the last 6 months JACL PSW has been at the forefront of public policy in regards to the proposed METRO Regional Connector. Little Tokyo has been in a flurry of activity regarding the proposed METRO Regional Connector since 2009 when METRO approached Little Tokyo with several build options for a Regional Connector. Its purpose is to connect the Blue, Gold and future Expo lines, making it possible to travel from one end of LA county to the other without making transfers.

Though unopposed to public transportation, the proffered options were unacceptable to due to negative and irreparable impacts on our community which include safety and cultural preservation. Therefore members of the community met with METRO representatives at Little Tokyo Working Group meetings to brainstorm an acceptable solution. JACL PSW is actively involved in these meetings, and also participates on a subcommittee called the Consultant Task Force. As a result of the community's efforts, METRO approved a new Fully Underground Alternative in February of 2010. This is the most preferred option for a majority of the Little Tokyo community, including JACL PSW and the Little Tokyo Community Council.

Although the relationship between METRO and Little Tokyo has been characterized by open communication thus far, the voices of local business owners has been absent. Over 400 businesses exist in the area, but scheduling conflicts arise since meetings typically occur during lunch or dinner rush hours. In order to raise awareness about the Regional Connector and its impacts on the community Douglas Kim will be hosting these open community meetings. He is a consultant, hired by METRO, who works on behalf of Little Tokyo. He will host 3 meetings which have the same content, and are grouped according to demographics: businesses, non-profits and residents.

In order to outreach, JACL has mobilized youth participants from the XING program. Over the course of two weeks, they visited businesses all over Little Tokyo, advertising the community meetings and giving brief overviews of the Fully Underground Alternative. Held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, the meeting dates are as follows: Businesses Wed. April 21 3:00-4:30pm; Non-Profits Thurs. April 22 4:00-5:30pm; Residents Thurs April 22 6:00-7:30pm. Although aimed at particular groups within Little Tokyo, these meetings are open to any who are interested in learning more about the Regional Connector and its affect on our community.

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JACL Pacific Southwest District Advocates on the Metro Regional Connector

What is the Metro Regional Connector? Click Here

JACL working as a member of the Little Tokyo Community Council has been a strong advocate in the debate regarding Metro’s new proposed Regional Connector. In order to minimize the impact to Little Tokyo’s businesses, events, and non-profit organizations our district has played a major role in the following activities: 1) dialogue with Metro administrators and 2) strategizing with Little Tokyo stakeholders. Through that dialogue both Metro and the Community have reached a tentative consensus around the building of a 3^rd alternative which will run primarily underground, under 2^nd Street, and surface along Alameda and 1^st street.

JACL, working as a member of the Little Tokyo Community Council, will also engage in direct communication with Elected Officials and Metro Board members in support of the third option presented by Metro. Although more expensive, we hope that Metro board members will consider the preservation of Little Tokyo’s community integrity as priceless.

For more information regarding the Metro Regional Connector, check out these articles:

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Other Articles About the Regional Connector

Little Tokyo Sounds Off About Metro’s Expansion Plans