News Summary
The Beverly Hills City Council has voted to extend the closure of North Canon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard until March 2026 to accommodate ongoing construction for the Purple Line Extension. This decision, approved with a 4-1 vote, reflects concerns over the impact of construction on local traffic and businesses. City officials are committed to ensuring safety for pedestrians and maintaining business viability during this extended closure period. The council will not consider any further extensions beyond this new deadline, enforcing penalties on Metro for delays.
Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills City Council has decided to extend the closure of North Canon Drive at Wilshire Boulevard until March 14, 2026, following a vote of 4-1 on September 9, 2025. This decision comes at the request of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), which requires additional time to complete ongoing construction work on the Purple (D) Line Extension at the intersection.
The closure is an extension of a temporary closure originally approved in July 2018, intended to address the impact of construction on local traffic and businesses. The council’s recent decision means that North Canon Drive will remain closed for an additional five and a half months, pushing the planned reopening from September 30, 2025, to the new deadline in March 2026.
Vice Mayor John Mirisch voted against the extension. His dissent highlights ongoing concerns about the construction’s impact on the local community. The council has previously approved a total of six extensions since the street’s initial closure, including a recent extension in November 2024.
A staff report presented to the council underscored the necessity of the extension. It indicated that if the street were to reopen before March 2026, the city would need to undertake two separate rounds of construction: one for temporary street restoration and another for permanent restoration. Approving the extension will allow workers to focus on permanent restoration efforts, which will begin in early 2026. This work includes the removal of a temporary sound wall and restoration of sidewalks along North Canon Drive.
During a public comment session at the council meeting, real estate developer Dar Mahboubi raised concerns regarding the disruption Metro’s construction timeline has caused for residents and businesses in the area. Mayor Sharona Nazarian acknowledged the frustrations expressed by business owners and emphasized the need for safe transportation routes during the extended construction period.
In a reflection of the council’s cautious approach, Councilmember Lester Friedman stated that the council is striving to respond to Metro’s demands while keeping local interests in mind. Mirisch, on the other hand, criticized this approach, perceiving it as a plea to Metro that lacks assertiveness in representing the community’s needs.
While expressing concern over the construction, Mayor Nazarian reaffirmed the importance of ensuring safety for pedestrians and drivers, as well as maintaining business viability amid ongoing challenges.
The council has committed to not considering any additional extensions beyond the newly established reopening date of March 14, 2026. If Metro fails to adhere to this deadline, they will incur penalties amounting to $20,000 per day.
Looking ahead, major construction on the Metro station is projected to be completed by the summer of 2026, with a tentative station opening expected later that year. The council’s decision is part of ongoing efforts to balance infrastructure improvements with the needs of the local community while navigating the complexities of urban development.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: City Council Approves Extended Closure
- Google Search: North Canon Drive closure
- Beverly Hills Courier: Rite Aid Not Listed Among Bankruptcy Closures
- Wikipedia: Rite Aid
- Patch: Another 83 California Rite Aid Stores Set to Close
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retail
- Fast Company: Rite Aid Closing Stores List
- Google Scholar: Rite Aid closures
- The Hill: More Than 200 New Rite Aid Locations Listed for Closure
- Google News: Rite Aid closures
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.
