■ For San Bernardino County, extension of the A Line would generate new and ongoing tax revenue that far exceeds the cost for constructing, maintaining and operating the A Line’s half-mile extension across the Los Angeles County border. ■ For Montclair, extension of the A Line would generate additional new development in North Montclair, including housing; commercial, office, education, and medical office spaces; restaurant and entertainment venues; and a new hotel. Montclair would also realize improved property values; increased sales and property tax revenue; access to a wider range of state and federal grants; improvements to the environment through reductions in both vehicle miles travelled and emission of pollutants. Overall, Montclair residents would realize significant quality-of- life opportunities that include inexpensive and expanded access and connectivity to jobs and centers of health, education, adventure,
entertainment, culture and shopping — all for a $1.75, or less, per trip on the A Line. Neighboring cities would also realize shared benefits associated with extension of the A Line to the Montclair Transit Center.
and the continued support of the SBCTA to extend light rail to the Montclair Transit Center, Montclair has also developed a Master Site Plan to develop the Transit Center parking fields into a transit village that will include (i) a multi-level 1,600± space parking structure, (ii) passenger terminal serving ground transit operators (bus services) and the Metrolink and A Line station platforms, and (iii) affordable and market rate housing, with a mix of commercial services. CIM Group, owners of Montclair Place, the City’s regional shopping center, in cooperation with Montclair, has also developed a specific plan (the Montclair Place District Specific Plan) designed to capitalize on, and promote transit-oriented development that includes a phased approach to introduce new retail and residential development projects onsite, as well as a new central downtown core that includes an expansive rambla-style boulevard — a broad avenue lined with trees, shops and cafes that would serve as a gathering place for outdoor entertainment and events. A market study conducted by a private research firm demonstrates that extension of the A Line to the Transit Center represents positive economic news for Montclair, surrounding communities and San Bernardino County.
Extending the A Line into San Bernardino County would offer an array of economic and quality-of-life benefits to both residents and government agencies. Why SBCTA Voted Against the Extension: The SBCTA Board’s decision centered around the following issues: 1. Structural Framework. Several Directors expressed frustration that construction and management of the Montclair extension rests with Los Angeles County agencies, including Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) — agencies that Directors argued should have no primary role in relation to building and operating the A Line one-half mile into San Bernardino County without SBCTA’s direct control and oversight. In fact, the Construction Authority is a State of California entity, not a creature of LA County, charged by the State, via AB 1600, to build the light rail system in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Further, AB 1600 also charges Metro with the duty and
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