Westlake/MacArthur Park station

Westlake/MacArthur Park was constructed by the Southern California Rapid Transit District, which later became part of today's LA Metro, as part of the first minimum operating segment (MOS-1) of the Metro Rail subway line. Ground was broken for the project in September 1986. Construction of the short starter line was challenging, and the Westlake/MacArthur Park station was one of the most ambitious parts of the project. Crews built a storage and turnback location for trains under MacArthur Park. Building the tunnel with a “pocket track” to store subway cars involved completely draining the eight-acre MacArthur Park Lake and digging a cut-and-cover tunnel. After construction, crews refilled with 20 million gallons of water that required seven days to fill and beautified the entire park, adding a fountain, trees, benches and lighting. The improvements were welcomed by businesses in the area. Before construction began in the late 1980s, MacArthur Park's once glittering reputation had decayed as gangs and drug dealers came into the area. The MOS-1 segment along with Westlake/MacArthur Park station opened in January 1993. Ridership on the short line was slow at first, but one major beneficiary of the new line was Langer's Deli, located about a block away from this station. The subway made it easy for downtown workers to come over to the restaurant for lunch. The owners of Langer's later credited the subway and the improvements to MacArthur Park with saving their business, which had been struggling in the 1980s. Westlake/MacArthur Park station served as the western terminus for trains for three and a half years, until the opening of MOS-2A along Wilshire Boulevard in July 1996. == Service ==

Hours and frequency Connections , the following connections are available: • LADOT DASH: E, Pico Union/Echo Park • Los Angeles Metro Bus: , , , , , Rapid Parking The station has a small 19-space surface lot off South Westlake Avenue, designated for kiss-and-ride use. On weekdays, approximately 100 additional spaces are available in the parking garage of the MacArthur Park Apartments across the street. == Station artwork ==

This station has two tile murals designed by Francisco Letelier, entitled El Sol (The Sun) and La Luna (The Moon). The station also has artwork by Therman Statom. The porcelain murals, by Los Angeles artist Sonia Romero and fabricated by Mosaika Art & Design, were named one of the best public art projects in the United States by the organization Americans for the Arts. Langer's Deli is featured in one of 13 ceramic mosaic murals located inside the MacArthur Park station. ==Notable places nearby==

• Consulate General of Mexico. • The MacArthur historic building, also known as the Park Plaza Hotel • Langer's Deli • Susana Machado Bernard House and Barn • Westlake Theater • Grier-Musser Museum • Teatro Frida Kahlo == In popular culture ==

The station was featured in the film Volcano as the Red Line subway outside MacArthur Park where a massive volcano erupted, causing an earthquake that derails Train no. 526 that was in the tunnel, with lava eventually engulfing and melting it. == References ==