Overview

The Cerritos City Council is moving forward with plans for potential transit development by approving a $127,000 contract with Cityworks Design. This study will assess possible locations for a Metro light rail station as part of the proposed Southeast Gateway Line.

With former council members Barrows and Vo previously opposing any station in Cerritos, the new council aims to revisit the possibilities for enhancing public transit options within the city.

Key details

  • The contract with Cityworks Design is valued at $127,000.
  • The study will evaluate potential locations for a Metro light rail station within Cerritos.
  • Cityworks Design is a Los Angeles-based firm with over 20 years of experience in light rail and transit planning.
  • The firm has collaborated with Metro on the Southeast Gateway Line for the past eight years.
  • The study is set to begin in July 2025 and is expected to be completed within approximately six months.
  • Deliverables from the study will include base maps, conceptual sketches, and renderings for potential station sites.
  • The project is purely administrative and planning-related, with no direct links to development or construction.
  • The study qualifies for a “common sense exemption” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) due to its lack of environmental impact.
  • Funding for the study will come entirely from the city’s Proposition A and C transportation reserves.
  • Cerritos has around $3.9 million in these reserves, which are designated for city-operated transit services.
  • No General Fund money will be used for this study.
  • City staff is planning a joint meeting with Metro and the Orange County Transportation Authority to discuss extending the Southeast Gateway Line into Orange County.

Context

The decision to conduct this study reflects a shift in the city's approach to public transit, particularly following the departure of former council members who opposed the establishment of a Metro station in Cerritos.

What happens next

The council is expected to formally approve the contract, adopt CEQA findings, authorize a budget amendment for funding allocation, and grant the city manager limited authority for future amendments during the upcoming council meeting.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific potential locations for the Metro station and the timeline for future developments beyond the study are not confirmed.