News Summary
Members of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts express frustration over ongoing Metro construction that coincides with the High Holy Days. The D Line subway extension project near Wilshire and La Cienega boulevards has disrupted access to the temple, despite earlier assurances from Metro. With a critical emphasis on pedestrian safety, some construction will extend beyond Yom Kippur. The situation reflects the complex balance between urban development and cultural traditions impacting the community during important religious observances.
Beverly Hills – Members of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts are expressing frustration over ongoing Metro construction that coincides with the High Holy Days, a significant period for the Jewish community. The High Holy Days commenced at sundown on September 22 and will conclude with Yom Kippur at sunset on October 2.
The construction is part of the D Line subway extension project taking place near Wilshire and La Cienega boulevards, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Currently, construction is active in K-rail work zones along the south side of Wilshire Boulevard between La Cienega and San Vicente boulevards.
Kasey Carter, the executive director of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts, highlighted the challenges posed by the ongoing construction. The temple traditionally hosts large congregations for special services during the High Holy Days. Metro had previously assured the temple that construction work would be completed prior to this important time, but the work remains unfinished.
Particular frustration arises from the construction at the southeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Hamilton Drive, where portions of the sidewalk and curb are fenced off, limiting access for temple members. While Metro had completed some construction directly in front of the Saban Theatre’s entrance ahead of the High Holy Days, including installing a temporary ramp that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the corner directly west continues to be under construction.
A permanent pedestrian ramp is currently being installed at the corner to meet ADA standards, requiring the de-energizing of a Southern California Edison electrical box. Although Metro has collaborated with Southern California Edison to expedite this aspect of the project, the necessary work could not be finalized before the High Holy Days.
Dave Sotero, a spokesperson for Metro, indicated that some construction activities would extend beyond the High Holy Days. He emphasized that pedestrian safety remains a top priority and noted that the sidewalk fencing adheres to city standards. Metro has conducted several meetings with representatives from the Saban Theatre to provide updates on the construction and to emphasize the importance of restoring the theater’s accessibility.
As part of these restoration efforts, the Wilshire Boulevard frontage of the Saban Theatre was restored, and some temporary construction fencing was removed by September 12. Additionally, a temporary ramp made of asphalt with a green grass façade has been installed in front of the Saban Theatre to improve aesthetics and enhance pedestrian access.
However, Metro’s contractor has projected that not all construction work will be completed by Yom Kippur on October 1, and some work is expected to continue after the necessary utility tasks are finalized. Construction crews were present on-site working on construction on October 1, although Metro planned to pause work on Yom Kippur.
A temporary pathway remains available from Hamilton Drive serving as access to the temple. Despite the disruptions caused by construction, services were held as scheduled during Rosh Hashanah without disruption. Nevertheless, members of the temple have raised concerns about safety due to the continuing construction and insufficient pedestrian access.
The ongoing construction near the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts sheds light on the broader implications of urban development projects, particularly how they may affect local communities during significant cultural events. As Metro works to complete the D Line subway extension, the concerns of the temple and its congregation illustrate a vital community dialogue about balancing urban development with cultural traditions.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: Subway Work Angers Beverly Hills Temple
- Los Angeles Times: Wilshire Boulevard Closure Metro Expansion
- ABC7: Stretch of Wilshire Boulevard Closed for 3 Weeks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Subway
- CBS News: Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills LA Metro D-Line Extension
- Google Search: Beverly Hills Metro Construction
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
