LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks from a bus during the 2024 World Series Championship parade on November 01, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Local fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers have been keeping an eye on a proposed change that could dramatically change how they travel to cheer on their favorite team.
In 2018, former team owner Frank McCourt’s firm Aerial Rapid Transit Technology proposed the introduction of a gondola that would carry passengers from downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium. The firm argued that it would be an environmentally friendly, safe and quiet way to get Dodgers fans to home games.
But the proposal has encountered some resistance, with a nonprofit group called Stop The Gondola suggesting the plan could call for taxpayer money and arguing that nearby residents will be stuck with accompanying eyesores.
The project is expected to cost around $500 million and could allow McCourt to develop the parking lots he owns around Dodger Stadium, which has been a point of contention for opponents.
Earlier this month, Los Angeles City Council voted to ground the project.
“In a 12-1 vote, council members … approved a resolution to advise the LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to kill the project,” the Associated Press reported. “Mayor Karen Bass must sign off for it to take effect, and the mayor has previously voted in favor of the project as a Metro board member.”
Given that controversy and the wide-ranging implications of the gondola project, hundreds of community members attended a Los Angeles Metro committee hearing on Thursday to hear Mayor Bass’ response to that resolution. And many of them were disappointed by the update they received.
“In front of hundreds of community members that turned out for the hearing, Bass would have a public opportunity to make her case for whatever position she might choose to take,” Bill Shaikin reported for the Los Angeles Times. “Bass whiffed.”
Instead of providing a meaningful update on her outlook for the project, Bass sidestepped the city council’s resolution and, in notably brief comments, reminded those in attendance that she was only required to vote on certifying the project’s environmental impact report.
“That’s it, Los Angeles,” Shaikin added in summary. “Your mayor just gave you 21 seconds of ‘nothing to see here.’”
Given her previous support for the project and refusal to meaningfully address the opposition to it on Thursday, there’s reason to believe that Bass is still in favor of moving it forward. The project’s environmental impact report received approval on Thursday and will face the full metro board of directors in December.
Assuming it passes that step, the future of the project will move on to city and state consideration. At that point, Bass will be forced to give a more meaningful update on whether or not the Dodgers gondola has retained her support after critics have voiced their concerns.