The new Sixth Street Viaduct across the L.A. River comes with the promise of 12 acres of park space directly below the bridge in Boyle Heights and the Arts District.  A motion introduced last week by 14th District Councilmember Jose Huizar  now suggests that further improvemnts could be in the works for both neighborhoods.

Huizar writes that the surrounding blocks on both sides of the bridge lack sidewalks and other pedestrian infrastructure due to legacy industrial uses. Additionally, utility poles and overhead power lines are scattered throughout the area, creating visual blight and impediments for pedestrian access.

With these issues in mind, Huizar moves that the Department of Public Works and the Department of Water and Power be directed to conduct a feasibility study to create an underground wiring district for the area bounded by the 101 freeway on the east, 7th Street on the south, 4th Street on the north and Mateo Street on the west.

The motion will be considered by the Council's Energy and Environment Committee.