City Council Approves Capital Budget Amendments, Launches Lower Arroyo Planning Study

The City Council on Monday approved amendments to the Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, redirecting millions of dollars to street improvements, pedestrian safety projects and Olympic-related transportation infrastructure while authorizing a new $500,000 planning and feasibility study for the Lower Arroyo Seco.

The approved amendments increase the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Program budget by $500,000 with no net impact on the city’s General Fund, according to a report from the Department of Public Works.

Among the largest changes is the transfer of approximately $2.5 million to the Annual Citywide Street Resurfacing and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvement Program.

The funding comes from completed or inactive projects and private capital contributions associated with development-related street repaving work. The additional money brings the project’s FY 2027 appropriation to about $11.1 million.

The council also approved the transfer of $7.17 million in Metro grant funding to the Rose Bowl Multimodal Olympic Route project, which will provide first- and last-mile transportation improvements between the Metro A Line Memorial Park Station and the Rose Bowl ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

City officials said the project is intended to improve walking and biking access while simplifying grant administration.

Two pedestrian safety projects received full funding through separate $300,000 Measure M grant transfers. The projects will install Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, commonly known as HAWK signals, at Lake Avenue and Elizabeth Street and at Lincoln Avenue and Toolen Place. City staff said the funding will allow both projects to move forward.

The council also authorized creation of the Lower Arroyo Park Planning and Feasibility Study, a $500,000 project funded through Measure A Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Spaces grant funds.

The study will evaluate opportunities to improve water quality, habitat connectivity, ecological restoration, stormwater management, trail accessibility and public access within approximately 37 acres of city-owned open space between the Colorado Street Bridge and La Loma Bridge.

According to the staff report, the study area includes approximately 3.5 miles of existing trails and adjacent public rights-of-way. The effort will explore potential improvements including stormwater capture and infiltration projects, habitat restoration, ADA-accessible trail enhancements and expanded public access intended to support long-term watershed health and climate resilience. The feasibility study is expected to begin during FY 2027.