MTA to Submit Plan to Compensate Merchants
After taking a two-week extension to pull a proposal together, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is again slated to present an economic recovery plan for businesses on Lankershim Boulevard hurt by MTA subway construction.
The MTA is scheduled to report Wednesday to the City Council’s Transportation Committee. Committee Chairman Richard Alarcon and member Joel Wachs have threatened to block city funds to complete the Metro Red Line if the MTA fails to develop a reasonable compensation plan for merchants.
The MTA did have some good news this week. The agency said it was able to complete street closure work early Monday, finishing in five weekends instead of the projected six.
But the closures on Lankershim, between Burbank and Chandler boulevards, have caused sales at local businesses to drop dramatically. The customers who do persist, threading their way past detour signs and roadblocks, are often upset by the time they reach the stores, merchants say.
“The customers are so confused,” said James Albright, who owns a costume shop on the boulevard. “I get constant complaints.”
Mark Pattison, the MTA’s North Hollywood supervisor of public affairs, said the agency has spent more than $1 million the past three years to help merchants in the area with advertising and signs.
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