Group to Discuss Shift of MTA Subway Funds

The purchase of a vacant Department of Water and Power building in Sun Valley for use as an additional Valley police station will be the topic of a special meeting Wednesday with Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, city transportation officials and DWP representatives.

The meeting will be at Los Angeles City Hall at 9 a.m.

Alarcon said he wants to shift city funds previously designated for subway construction to establish two additional Los Angeles Police Department stations and one additional bureau in the Valley.

The funds are part of the $200 million the city agreed to pay the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to assist with construction of subway extensions to North Hollywood, the Mid-City and Eastside. However, the MTA has suspended the Mid-City and Eastside expansions because of funding problems.

Because the city money designated for the MTA can be used only for transportation projects, Alarcon has proposed using a portion of the $200 million for road resurfacing or other projects paid out of the city’s general fund. Then, some general fund money earmarked for transportation projects could be allocated to create additional police stations.

The site of the proposed Sun Valley station is the vacant Anthony Building on Arleta Avenue.