What does it take to build rail transit through an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles? Watch this an-hour-long series of video clips shot at the final planning meeting for the Metro Expo Line, a light-rail line to be built on the old abandoned Pacific Electric Santa Monica Air Line railroad right-of-way, which will connect Downtown Los Angeles to the Westside of Los Angeles and Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica. The group Neighbors for Smart Rail (NFSR) lead by the affluent Cheviot Hills Homeowners' Association and other affluent Westside homeowners' associations joins forces with Fix Expo, a special-interest group from a minority neighborhood in South Los Angeles, through which the abandoned railroad right-of-way cuts as well, and they vow for lawsuits. Such opposition by the affluent and special-interest groups has prevented the use of this old abandoned railroad right-of-way for decades, but the Expo Light-Rail Line is finally becoming a reality. The series of clips starts with the very instructive presentation about the project, continues with a video simulation of Phase 2, and then public comments from Fix Expo and Neighbors for Smart Rail leaders as well as individuals follow.

The video is a true classic of NIMBYs and NIMBYism in America. The meeting was held in Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles, California, at 6:30 PM on October 5, 2009. The affluent neighborhood of Cheviot Hills has long been the epicenter of the opposition to the Expo Line.

 


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