Tag Archives: Metrolink

Police Investigate Stabbing at Downtown Metrolink Station

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Burbank police received a call around 4:45 pm Tuesday of a man who had been stabbed in the neck near the Burbank Metrolink Station.

Burbank Police Forensic Specialists gather property and evidence from the crime scene. ( Photo by Ross A Benson)

In an email statement provided by Sgt. Derek Green of the Burbank Police Department, “When police officers arrived, they located an adult male victim with a stab wound to the neck area. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect remains outstanding at this time.  He was described as an African American man, 50 to 60 years old.”

While no motive for the stabbing is yet known, detectives are actively working the investigation. A report from the scene, but not confirmed, said the suspect had taken the man’s wallet.

Burbank Police Officers get assignments and gather witness statements at the MetroLink following a stabbing of a male. (Photo by Ross A Benson)

No update on the victim’s condition is available.

Officials Open New Train to Plane Metrolink Stop in Burbank

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(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Metrolink and Hollywood Burbank Airport officials celebrated the completion of a new Metrolink Antelope Valley Line rail station that will connect travelers with the Hollywood Burbank Airport in the San Fernando Valley.  The station will officially open to the public on Monday, May 14.

The station should help reduce vehicle trips on the I-5 freeway and roads in the many residential neighborhoods near the airport.  Air travelers will be able to seamlessly connect to and from the new station via a free shuttle operated by the Hollywood Burbank Airport. New station amenities will include rail ticket vending machines, benches, bike racks and LED display boards showing arrival and departure times for trains, buses, and planes. A pedestrian sidewalk and transit plaza will be built adjacent to the station platform and San Fernando Boulevard.

“More travelers are coming through our airports than ever before — and we’re giving them new ways to get where they’re going when the plane ride is over,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “This new Metrolink connection will seamlessly link our transportation network with the Hollywood Burbank Airport — while easing congestion in one of our busiest corridors.”

Located on the northwestern corner of Hollywood Way and San Fernando Boulevard between the cities of Burbank and Los Angeles, the new station will also be within walking distance of the planned airport terminal facility that will replace the current terminal, as well as a future proposed mixed-use development.

“Metro and its partners are making good on their promise to improve connections with airports countywide including Burbank, one the nation’s most convenient airports,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, a Metro Board Member. 

Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line runs between Los Angeles Union Station, the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster seven days a week. The station is the second to serve Hollywood Burbank Airport. Metrolink’s Ventura County Line also provides a station stop on the other side of the airport with train service on weekdays only.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“The City of Burbank is excited to have another transportation alternative for both our residents and employees who work and reside in our city,” stated Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy.  “Additionally, the new station will act as an essential part of our future vision for the Airport/Golden State District.”

 “With the opening of the Burbank Airport-North Metrolink Station, passengers from Lancaster to Los Angeles will now be able to connect to Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line,” said Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority President and Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek. “We’re proud to be the only Southern California airport to offer plane-to-train connections at two train stations, including the existing Burbank Airport-South Station, which serves passengers from East Ventura to Union Station on Metrolink’s Ventura County Line and from San Luis Obispo to San Diego on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner.”

“Metro is glad to build and be a major funding partner for this new transit connection to the Hollywood Burbank Airport,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Metro’s transportation transformation will continue to deliver more and better options to many of our important regional destinations.”

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“With the new Metrolink Burbank Airport-North Station, there is finally a daily connection to the Hollywood Burbank Airport on the Antelope Valley Line, one of our fastest growing lines,” said Metrolink CEO Art Leahy. “This new train to plane connection provides an opportunity for people to save time and money spent for parking by taking Metrolink instead.”

Construction of the new station began in March 2017. The project was built by C.A. Rasmussen, INC., of Valencia, California. The $15 million project was delivered on-time and under budget.

Man Threatening Security Guards at Metrolink with Pellet Gun Arrested

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On Wednesday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m., Burbank Police responded to a call about a man possibly holding a gun near the Metrolink Station on Front St.

One of the first units on the scene was Burbank’s Air Unit and the Tactical Flight Officers in the helicopter saw the man who appeared to be holding a handgun aimed at two security guards. The suspect was seen getting into a minivan and leaving the Metrolink Station. Responding officers witnessed the van get on the I-5 freeway and pulled it over south of Alameda Ave. The minivan turned out to be an Uber.

Police detained the driver and discovered a pellet gun inside the vehicle, which resembled a real handgun.

The suspect has been identified as Anthony Barraza, 23 of Sun Valley.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

It seems that an argument between Barraza and Metrolink security guards over a smoking ordinance allegedly caused him to lash out and threaten them with the pellet gun.

Before leaving the Metrolink Station, the suspect attempted to get into another vehicle by displaying the pellet gun at a driver.

He was arrested and booked for attempted carjacking and criminal threats.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Barraza is currently being held on $100,000 bail and is due in court Friday, May 4.

Burbank Firefighters Rescue Male From Beneath MetroLink Train

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(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The Burbank Fire and Police Departments were called at around 5:00 p.m. to respond to a reported person who either jumped or fell in front of southbound MetroLink train number 150 as it was approaching the Burbank MetroLink Station.

Firefighters located a male that appeared in his 20s or 30s beneath the main locomotive car on the west tracks. He had a pulse and was breathing. They loaded him upon a stretcher and transported him to a local trauma center.

All trains coming and going from the station were stopped during the investigation. Many Burbank residents bound from downtown’s Union Station were stuck or had to find alternative transportation.

Burbank Police assisted people across the tracks to awaiting buses. (Photo by Ross A Benson)

Burbank police officers assisted the people who were at the station to buses waiting to take them to other destinations.

Per a Metrolink spokesperson, no riders on the 150 train were injured in the incident and the investigation is still ongoing by law enforcement and MetroLink  officials.

 

 

 

 

“Burbank Common” Restaurant and Brewery Coming Downtown

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( Photo Courtesy Community Development Department Website)

Owner of the popular local bar “Tony’s Darts Away” and founder of Golden Road Brewery, Tony Yanow is partnering with the City of Burbank to open a new restaurant and brewery at 10 W. Magnolia Blvd which will be called “Burbank Common.”

Located adjacent to the downtown Burbank Metrolink station, the project will involve the demolition of a 70,000 square-feet storage warehouse to be replaced with a restaurant, a craft beer pub, a roller derby rink, and possibly food carts. Space will be reduced to 33,000 square-feet to provide an outdoor recreation area. It is currently unknown how many restaurants the 2.4-acre site will include.

( Photo Courtesy Community Development Department Website)

Burbank Common will utilize the 471 parking spaces located near the Metrolink station. Although more than half of the spaces are used by those riding the Metro during the day, it is hoped there will be enough room to accommodate customers in the evening.

“For intermittent larger events that will occur one to two times per month, it is anticipated that parking can be provided offsite in existing parking facilities in Downtown Burbank and a shuttle system could be employed to shuttle attendees to and from events,” said Ross Young, a project manager for Burbank.

To ensure that the Metrolink parking will not be overwhelmed, a “full parking study” will be conducted during the environmental review process.

Although the city will retain ownership of the property, Yanow will operate Burbank Common with his restaurant group, the Artisanal Brewers Collective.

“His company has the resources and experience to independently build and operate the facility and they are proposing to incorporate features that would provide significant community-wide benefits,” said Young.

“If approved by the City Council, the proposed project would have a number of benefits for the City. The project would also provide a much-needed event center which would complement the existing businesses and hotels in Downtown Burbank and throughout the City by attracting outside visitors to Burbank.”

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

In 2008, the city attempted to demolish the same warehouse but could not receive support from City Council due to the high cost. The warehouse which was formally owned by AmeriCold has six-feet thick cement walls that make it difficult to demolish. From 2011 to 2016, the property was controlled by a different redevelopment agency.

“From a fiscal standpoint, the project would facilitate over $10 million in private sector investment, while creating jobs, boosting tourism, and increasing the City’s tax base,” said Young.

Burbank Common is currently going through its environmental analysis and “community outreach phase.” The project is expected to be presented to the Burbank Planning Board and City Council before September.

New Apartments, Businesses Included in Olive Stations Project

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With a new influx of multi-use buildings heading to Burbank, one that is making a splash is the Olive Station development. The site of the future building can be located at the southeast intersection of Olive Boulevard and Lake Avenue. The land is currently owned by the Cusumano Real Estate Group.

In total, the building will feature 327 studios, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom, and four-bedroom apartments. The variety in apartments is meant to provide options in affordable housing to Burbank residents. Hired to design the building will be the award-winning architectural firm Newman Garrison + Partners.

When asked why the Cusumano Real Estate Group when with Newman Garrison + Partners, Michael Cusumano said:

“We conducted an exhaustive search of all of the best design firms in this region, and went as far as to engage five different firms to produce concept drawings for the site, before finally selecting the firm of Newman-Garrison (NG+P) to design the project. And NG+P hit it out of the park. As is evidenced by the design submitted, and their plethora of design awards, Newman-Garrison will bring a new, cutting edge design to Burbank, and set the standard for all future mixed-use projects in the City. (NG+P) has completed projects in Spain, India, Russia, and in the Caribbean, as well as California, where they have designed some of the most recognizable southern California buildings in recent years such as West Park at Civita, The Ellington, The Q East, and the Dylan.

Olive Station will be an architectural landmark as well as a really fantastic place to live. Our team also includes such acclaimed firms as EPT Design (landscape architecture), KGM Architectural Lighting, and John Labib + Associates (structural and civil engineering).”

The goal of this building is to offer a choice to millennials and families alike. Cusumano hopes potential residents will take notice to Olive Stations’ location, amenities, design, sustainability, lifestyle, Affordability.”

To entice potential residents, plans for the building also include a an array of common spaces, which include a game room, a bocce ball course, a resort-style pool and spa with cabanas, outdoor dining/BBQ areas, fire pits, retail stores, an outdoor movie theatre, a media center, terrace amenities, a club/lounge area with a private wine room, and a state-of-art fitness center. Located at the ground floor will be a commercial grocery store.

When asked how Olive Stations plans to combat the affordable housing problem in Burbank, Cusuamano said; “First of all, no one has ever built “live-work” loft units in Burbank, and there are almost no 3 and 4-bedroom units in Burbank. No one has ever built this type of a project in Burbank. The Co-Work spaces will also appeal to millennials as well. And this will be the first project in many years where the Developer is including rent restricted affordable units. And great access to employment, Downtown Burbank and Metrolink station. Families, millennials, boomers; everyone will be attracted to this project.”

Olive Stations is expected to be completed by the year 2021. You can find the full list of amenities and features, provided by the Cusumano Real Estate Group, down below:

  • Amenities:
    • Full concierge service
    • Resort style lap pool & spa
    • Huge common spaces with fire features
    • Seating and cabanas throughout courtyards
    • Outdoor kitchen and dining areas
    • BBQ kitchen and outdoor dining
    • Beautiful garden landscaping
    • Water features
    • Several large lounging areas
    • Private lounge with billiard tables, big screen TV’s
    • High speed internet and Wifi
    • Screening and media room
    • Private fitness club with state of the art equipment, with spin and yoga studio
    • Business center with conference room, computers and professional print/ scan/ copy/ fax stations
    • Dry-cleaning and laundry drop-off and pick-up services
    • Private spa facilities for sauna and massages
    • Zip-Car access
    • Wine storage facility
    • On-site ATM
    • Bicycle parking, storage and maintenance with bike shop
    • EV charging stations
    • Ample guest parking
    • Gated community with key fob access controls
    • Roof top deck and lounge with bar, big screen TV’s and fire features
    • Dog park
    • Solar water heating
    • Solar PV
    • Co-work space
    • Extra storage facilities
    • 24 Hour package pick up and drop off system
    • Highspeed Electric Elevators

Apartment Homes:

  • Features:
    • Gourmet stainless steel “Jenn-Air” kitchen appliances
    • AT&T U-Verse with fiber cable to the units and 1G internet speeds
    • Stone countertops
    • Designer cabinets
    • 9’-11’ ceilings
    • High efficiency “Whirlpool” washer and gas dryer in units
    • Large private balconies
    • Private yards (selected units)
    • Fireplaces (some units)
    • Oversized walk-in closets with custom shelving
    • Energy efficient dual glazed windows throughout
    • Upgraded finishes throughout
    • Low VOC carpets, paints, and adhesives

 

Glendale Woman Killed After Being Hit by Metrolink Train

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A woman was struck and killed by a Metrolink passenger train Thursday evening near the Downtown Burbank train station, located at 201 North Front Street.

On Thursday, October 26, Burbank Police responded to the area shortly after 8:00 P.M. following reports of a pedestrian struck near the train platform. The Metrolink train, line number 225, was bound for Lancaster as a final destination and traveling northbound. As the train approached the Downtown Burbank station, its engineer saw a female sitting on the railroad tracks. The engineer sounded the train’s horn to alert the woman, but she was fatally struck.

Burbank Police Detectives, Metrolink Officials, a Los Angeles County Coroner Investigator, and members from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs’ Department all responded to the scene. At the time of the incident, there were approximately 124 passengers and two crew members on-board the train. All passengers and crew members were interviewed and there were no injuries reported on the train.

Several Metrolink trains were delayed while the investigation was being conducted.

The victim has been identified as Lydia Savadjian, a 34-year-old woman from Glendale, California. It is not certain whether Savadjian’s actions were intentional or accidental. It is also not known if drugs and/or alcohol were factors in this incident. The investigation is ongoing.

The Burbank Police Department would like to remind the public to always obey railroad crossing markings, warning signals, and control devices. Only cross railroad tracks at designated public crossing points, and when safe to do so. Railroad tracks, trestles, and equipment are private property. Never loiter or play on or near railroad tracks. Doing so can result in grave consequences, including serious injury and in many cases, death.

Metrolink to Perform Late Night Construction for New Station

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Press release from Metrolink:

Late-Night Construction Work

When: Four-week period beginning on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 10pm – 6am.

Where: San Fernando Rd at N Hollywood Way (within the project workzone).

What to Expect:

> Possible traffic delays and slight increase in travel times due to posted lane closures.

> Lane closures and re-routing clearly marked.

> Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.

> For safety purposes, flaggers will redirect traffic when necessary.

Metro apologizes for any inconvenience during this period and appreciates your understanding and cooperation.

What to Expect During Construction

The station is being constructed within the existing railroad right-of-way with minimal impact on Metrolink operations. To enhance safety and enable construction activities, a full-lane closure of San Fernando Bl between west of N Hollywood Way and Greg Av has been in place.

Construction activities can be expected Monday through Friday between the hours of 6am to 3:30pm; nighttime construction may also occur between 10:30pm to 6am, only if needed. The construction schedule is subject to change based on needs, weather and other operational factors.

The contractor will limit heavy equipment use during nighttime hours to mitigate noise. Provisions are in place to minimize impacts to airport, emergency responder and business access. Efforts will be made to minimize dust and other construction impacts to the fullest extent possible.

Stay Connected

For any questions, please call the project hotline at 213.922.6913

Car Collides With Metrolink Train at Vanowen and Buena Vista

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Burbank police are investigating the scene of an accident that occurred Tuesday, August 22 at 6:14 pm when a vehicle traveling southbound on Buena Vista struck a Metrolink train traveling westbound.

When Burbank Fire Department’s Engine 14 arrived on the scene, they found the driver was already out of the vehicle. Paramedics treated the man and transported him to the hospital.

BFD Train vs Car Vanowen & Buena Vista (© Ross A Benson)

According to Burbank Police Sergeant Derek Green, the man, who was in his 20’s, had non life threatening injuries.

Police will request a test to see if the driver was impaired.

Witnesses report that the vehicle went around the railroad crossing gate before being struck by the train and being knocked about 200 yards down the track, coming to rest on the north side of the tracks. It also struck a pallet of railroad ties that were on the side of the tracks.

Police went car to car to get names and addresses of all the passengers (over 300) that were on the train. No passenger reported any injuries.

Police will now investigate using cameras at the scene along with a camera mounted on the Metrolink train as they recreate the accident that totaled the red Lexus.

Police closed the intersection of Buena Vista and Vanowen for over two hours as they investigated the scene.

Police gave the Metrolink team, headed to Ventura, permission to leave the scene at 8:30 pm.

BFD Train vs Car Vanowen & Buena Vista (© Ross A Benson)

 

Actor Killed by Metrolink Train

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The Burbank Police Department can confirm the identity of the man who was killed in the train versus pedestrian collision on Saturday afternoon as George Gregory Plitt Jr.

(Photo Courtesy of Chester Brown)

(Photo Courtesy of Chester Brown)

Police report that on Saturday at about 4:05 pm, a male in his mid-30’s was struck by a southbound Metrolink Train, north of the Magnolia Boulevard Overpass in Burbank. Plitt was pronounced dead at the scene, by Burbank Fire Department Paramedics.

Burbank Police Department Detectives responded and are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident.  Sgt. Scott Meadows of the Burbank Police Department told KTLA that they believed is was “likely not a suicide”.  The Los Angeles Times reported that Plitt had been filming in the area at the time.

The bio from the Bravo website, where Plitt was on one of their shows, had the following:

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Greg Plitt, went on to become a Captain and Ranger in the US Army. He is now self-employed in the entertainment and fitness fields, constantly busy as a motivational speaker, entrepreneur and model.

(Photo Courtesy of Chester Brown)

(Photo Courtesy of Chester Brown)

More on Plitt can be seen on his website http://gregplitt.com/

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has related information is asked to contact Burbank Police Detective Michael Edwards at (818) 238-3264.