Underground Passage Between Metro and The Bloc in Downtown Opens

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Metro and city officials Tuesday celebrated the opening of a $9.3 million underground pedestrian tunnel connecting the Seventh Street/Metro Center subway station and The Bloc -- formerly known as Macy's Plaza -- in the Financial District.

"This new portal will make access to this heavily used rail station safer and more efficient for our customers," said John Fasana, Metro board chair and Duarte City Council member.

"We were able to partner with The Bloc to build it, which provides the public with a new amenity at a significantly reduced cost," he said.

The Bloc is a retail center taking up a full city block and containing shops and restaurants serving the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles hotel and other nearby buildings.

The tunnel marks the first time a direct connection has been built from a Metro station to a private building. Metro contributed $4.65 million to the project and The Bloc contributed $4.6 million.

The 25-foot-long passageway is anticipated to better meet rider demand to and from the station, Metro said.

"We are proud to have the first truly urban Metro Portal open into The Bloc's dynamic square at the heart of downtown L.A.," said Wayne Ratkovich, president of The Ratkovich Co., which owns The Bloc.

"The power of The Bloc and its mixed uses will now be fully realized. People from all parts of the region will be able to take Metro and walk through this portal into what will be the future of Los Angeles."

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of Metro L.A.