Chins were scratched and heads shook in 2011 when it was revealed that Metro's Crenshaw/LAX light-rail line would not feature a proper stop in the heart of African-American L.A., Leimert Park.

There were accusations that the black community wasn't seeing the same kind of resources thrown at the multibillion-dollar Westside subway along Wilshire Bouelvard. Well, today all that changed. The Metro board and the L.A. City Council put up the necessary cash:

The L.A. City Council this week voted to put up $40 million of $120 million needed for the Leimert Park Village station. Then today the Metro board said yes to secure the rest of the funding from its budget.

Credit: Metro

Credit: Metro

The office of Metro board member and county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who championed the stop along the Crenshaw-to-LAX line, stated, “Metro's fiscal year 2014 budget contains $460.5 million in uncommitted funds — more than enough to safeguard against a significant cost overrun.”

MRT:

I am delighted that the board has approved funding to make this historic community a train stop. Leimert Park is an iconic neighborhood in Los Angeles. All we have ever said is that it should be treated on par with our county's other great cultural landmarks.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:

Credit: Metro

Credit: Metro

I am proud to say that both the City of Los Angeles and Metro have stepped up to the plate and committed a total of $120 million to fully fund the Leimert Park Village station. We worked together, we got creative and we never gave up. I look forward to seeing the upcoming designs so that this project can move forward and serve our entire region.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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