No Answer: Call for Projects

Recently, there has been some streetscape improvements throughout the City that enhance the roadway and sidewalk (hence: Streetscape improvements!). Most of these have been funded by BIDs, though, and not the City. From Highland north of La Brea to Studio City's Ventura Boulevard, BIDs are doing the improvements that the City once did.

See, there is this thing called the Call for Projects which is a way that all public grant money is filtered into Los Angeles via the MTA. So, state funds and federal grants from Propositions and other programs are allocated to the MTA, and then they accept proposals. Projects like the Pasadena Civic Center improvement received $2.8 million & the Valley's Orange Line bikepath received $5.2 million in the last round of funding - back in 2001. This means they were applied for in 2000. It's been 6 years since the "call" was issued. The "call" in 2003 was deferred - and cities are still waiting.

The deferring (skipping) of 2 (almost 3) cycles of their "every other year" policy has prevented additional bikeways along the LA River, pedestrian enhancements in commercial cores like Los Feliz Village, and street safety improvements like the widening of Moorpark Street where it jags in & out in Sherman Oaks by Woodman.

Where's the money going? What's happening at MTA so they're not " sharing the wealth?"