Norwalk assumes full responsibility of Metrolink station upkeep in new agreement

NORWALK - Norwalk City Council voted on Tuesday to amend the existing cooperating agreement to operate the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink station, taking on responsibility for all maintenance and upkeep in return for a reduction of annual lease payments.

The amendment also includes that all Metrolink commuter parking permit revenue will be utilized by the City of Norwalk to offset expenses. Overall, it is estimated that the yearly upkeep and maintenance of the station will be $87,275 on an annual basis.

Council also voted to amend the ground lease agreement with Santa Fe Springs. Previously, the annual lease agreement’s cost was at a sum of $91,992 once the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Station expansion parking lot was completed.

As the project is nearing completion, the change would now see the city pay $1 to Santa Fe Springs annually for 50 years (from the original start date through Dec. 31, 2066), with the option to extend the agreement for two consecutive 10-year periods for a total of $70 each.

While Santa Fe Springs’s City Council has yet to approve of this new agreement, staff says that they have confirmed that these terms will be what is recommended to them.

That item will be scheduled pending final review.