Coliseum Parking

* “Nearby Museums Fear Scope of Coliseum Plan” (May 3) states: “The problem, as it is so often in Los Angeles, is parking.” In reality, the problem is automobiles and, more precisely, the lack of alternatives to them. Public officials pondering the Coliseum-museum dilemma should think long and hard about why they even have this problem. Had our city invested wisely in transit, Exposition Park would probably be well-served by subway and light rail today.

If further public money is spent creating parking to accommodate the needs of Coliseum commerce, insult will be added to the injury our shortsighted transportation system visits on our city every day. I hope this lesson is not lost on those planning our city’s transportation future.

KENT STRUMPELL

Los Angeles

* The traffic congestion and parking requirements created by bringing back an NFL football team and other events to the Coliseum will have a tremendous negative impact on the existing institutions and neighborhoods. The 27,000 new parking spaces needed will create a boring landscape that will entice people to drive to the Coliseum.

Now is the time to bring the community, the city, the developer and the MTA together and rethink our transportation options for this location. One option is to run a rail spur from the L.A.-Long Beach Blue Line to the renovated Coliseum from Washington Boulevard, thus connecting downtown L.A. and Long Beach to the Coliseum and providing rail access between the two great entertainment complexes: the Staples Arena and Memorial Coliseum.

In addition this line could serve the heavily used museums, hospitals, USC and the community. This would be a win-win situation for all parties. L.A. should negotiate for a better quality of life in this deal.

SANTIAGO ROJAS

Alhambra