FRIENDS 4 EXPO TRANSIT NEWSLETTER

November 2002

CONTENTS

* Come to the Santa Monica "Expo Expo" -- November 14!
* MTA Expo Station Area Planning Workshops -- Nov. 19 & 21, Dec. 3
* Mobility-21 conference -- Nov. 18
* Crenshaw community meeting recap
* Looking ahead
* Connections

Hello again, and welcome new people receiving this! A lot is happening on the "Exposition Transit Parkway" now that the MTA Board has approved Preliminary Engineering for this light rail line, including multiple opportunities to speak up for good transit in Los Angeles.


* COME TO THE SANTA MONICA "EXPO EXPO" -- November 14!

Hear the latest on Exposition light rail planning and other Westside transit, bicycle, and livable communities possibilities from Friends 4 Expo Transit, other community advocates, and the MTA at our next community meeting:

Thurs. Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m.
Ken Edwards Community Center, 1527 Fourth Street, Santa Monica

For detailed information, with two fliers to download and share with friends, coworkers, and neighbors, see the NEWS page at www.friends4expo.org.


* MTA EXPO STATION AREA PLANNING WORKSHOPS
-- Nov. 19, 21; Dec. 3

This is where it gets fun! Now that Preliminary Engineering is under way for Exposition light rail, the design process will begin. The MTA has scheduled the first three Station Area Planning (and general information) workshops:

1) Tues. Nov. 19, 6-8 p.m.
Exposition Park West, 3833 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles

2) Thurs. Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Complex, Garden Room, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City

3) Tues. Dec. 3, 7-9 p.m.
Meeting Room, Baldwin Hills Recreation Center, 5401 Highlight Pl., L.A.

MTA staff and consultants will show examples of light rail and bikeway design and discuss possible station sites, and mitigation measures for safety and beautification. The MTA invites everyone to suggest plans and designs that best serve their communities. For more information (including transit access to the meetings), visit the MTA project website www.mta.net/expo, or call the project hotline at 310-366-6443.


* MOBILITY-21 CONFERENCE -- Nov. 18

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the MTA are cosponsoring a transportation summit -- "Mobility 21: LA County Moving Together." This one-day conference aims to form a broad coalition of elected officials, transportation providers, and business, labor and community leaders to promote practical solutions to transportation problems in Los Angeles. Come participate with us, to ensure that L.A.'s policymakers hear the voices from the grassroots!

For information on the conference or to register online, visit the Chamber website: www.lachamber.org/events/calendar?func=profile&event_id=506. For scholarship eligibility and application, call 213-580-7565.


* CRENSHAW COMMUNITY MEETING RECAP

The Friends 4 Expo-sponsored Crenshaw community meeting on September 28 at Dorsey High School was a great success. Approximately 100 people attended, including elected officials and staff, and reporters from two local newspapers.

Concerned neighbors talked one-on-one with MTA guests. Folks from outside the neighborhood had their eyes opened on issues such as the current state of the right-of-way. It was a productive and informative gathering, and a good beginning for continued dialogue, brainstorming, and working together to make sure that Expo benefits everyone along the line.


* LOOKING AHEAD

The coming year will be critical for Expo, as we seek full funding to complete the line. We will keep you informed how to fight for southern California's fair share in the 2003 federal TEA-21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) Reauthorization bill.

As we look ahead to 2003, we'd also appreciate hearing what you would like Friends 4 Expo Transit to focus on. Would you like to see an "Expo Expo" in other areas? "How to be an advocate" workshops? A spring transit fair/picnic? A tour of the soon-to-open Pasadena Gold Line? Topics for our general meetings? Other outreach events (would your group like an Expo
slide show)? Let us know (contact info below)!


* CONNECTIONS

To learn more about the Expo Line, visit our website: www.friends4expo.org. If you'd like to be placed on our email list (or to be removed) email: mail@friends4expo.org. Or call (310-393-9025), or write (Friends 4 Expo Transit, P.O. Box 64943, Los Angeles, CA 90064).

Anyone who would like to attend a steering committee meeting, to become involved in planning events, meeting elected officials, or other volunteer opportunities, please contact us!

"A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world." -- Proverb

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