High Speed Rail to Union Station via NELA

California High Speed Rail plans to utilize Union Station as a major hub, constraining its rail alignment along the Los Angeles River and creating yet another barrier for river revitalization. Considering the benefits of both, there needs to be regional coordination in evaluating the feasibility of accomplishing simultaneous "wins" for rail and river projects. Mutual optimization includes through grade-separations, utility undergrounding, land cleanup, multi-purpose pathways, connectivity across rail tracks, mitigation strategies, green design elements, and open space land conversions. Moreover, high speed rail can help guide economic development. By establishing a mitigation bank, funds can be aggregated in support of the construction, operation and maintenance of Riverfront projects within the NELA district. The mitigation bank can be augmented with funds derived from a small portion of rail tickets sold. Wherever displacements of existing uses are necessary, business relocation efforts should be aggressively pursued, with a focus on relocating businesses within the city of Los Angeles