By Jung Gatoona

It's the second most used station in all of Metro's rail system. It's the place where the Green Line and Blue line comes together to allow easier movement for the people of LA. Call it the Rosa Parks station, Imperial/Wilmington station, or the place where the Green Line and Blue Line make love. Whatever you call it, one thing you can't disagree with it being called, is a dump. Perhaps I'm being too harsh, but for being the second most used station, one expects to see better. Fortunately, Metro is now ready to do something about it.

First, Metro started a community workshops program, where in the first meeting, residents and commuters were able to voice many of their concerns and complaints. During the first workshop, issues raised ranged from "Doesn't feel safe" to "Where's Rosa Parks." Here is the complete list:

• Where's Rosa Parks?
• Drivers don't call out the correct station name.
• Transfer way-finding is a problem.
• No color, No Hope.
• Landscaping has disappeared over the years.
• Doesn't have any Rosa Parks information or artwork.
• The Station is too dark: "The Metro Station is darker in the daytime than at night."
• Doesn't feel safe.
• Maintenance is a problem.
• Blue line has only one entrance/exit.
• Lack of way-finding makes transfers very difficult.
• Green line platform is very noisy with freeway traffic.
• Encourage an increased sense of safety.
• Favored community gardens and space for farmers' markets.
• Increased housing density would allow for more community green space, including community gardens.

So with all these issues now out of the jar, Metro introduced to the public in their second workshop, some proposed plans in their improvement/beautification project for the station.

Creating the Station's Identity

One complaint was that station did not hold true to its name of Rosa Parks. The only visible thing in the station that had any connection to Rosa Parks, were the dust covered "Rosa Parks" signs attached to the rusted fences. With this issue, Metro proposes linking the identity of Rosa Parks and the station through design elements, and by installing "Rosa Parks" related artwork. Metro hopes that by increasing public art in Rosa Parks, it will create not only an identity for the station, but create a connection to the community so that it encourages commuters to take care of the station.

Improve Station's Design

Another complaint was that the station needed major improvements in its design. Since the station is built on top and below a freeway, issues such as noise, bad lightning, and smog became focus points in the improvement plan. To solve the noise issue, Metro proposes adding sound walls along the Green Line station, and along the street level portion of the Blue Line station as well. If this becomes a hit, expect to see it installed in other stations. For the bad lightning issue, Metro proposes installing LED lights in replacement of the current lightning system. The LED lights will be installed in a fashion, what they like to call, "The light cloud," where the lights will hover over the station like a blanket, illuminating all of the station. For the smog issue, Metro proposes relocating the current bus plaza and surrounding parking spaces. The proposed plan is to relocate these items, which happens to be located right at the freeway overpass, to a more open area so that the fumes don't build up.

Increase Overall Activity

Finally, the dream of improving Rosa Parks, is to increase activity there so that the nearby areas benefit off of the station not only as a way of closer access to public transit, but to use the station to bring life back into the community. For this, Metro proposes creating a Farmers' Market and a place for vendors to sell their goods in the station. Metro also proposes installing various plants, trees, and possibly a fountain or small pond around the area, to adapt the station's new design to the stores. To accommodate with increased activity, Metro proposes installing structured parking lots just north of the station. To allow easier access to the new plaza, Metro is also looking into making it easier to access and exit the station, by extending the Blue Line platform, and by providing a safe pedestrian crossing at 117th street.

Illustration & Photo | Jung Gatoona, Metro, O.Web