LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced the winners of the
Great Streets Challenge, a program that will award a total of $2 million to
community-driven initiatives to re-imagine Los Angelesâ iconic commercial
corridors. The seven selected projects span from Panorama City to Watts,
and from the Westside to Boyle Heights.
“Our streets belong to the people who use them every day, and the Great
Streets Challenge empowers Angelenos to reimagine public spaces in their
own neighborhoods,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “These grants will allow
community groups to bring a vision to life â transforming streets across
Los Angeles into vibrant, walkable spaces that reflect the unique character
of their communities.”
Each community partner will receive up to $13,000 for community outreach,
and will be supported by technical consultants and City staff in
implementing transportation, economic, and cultural projects.
Four of the Challenge Grant projects will create temporary pop-up projects,
while the other three will use the funds to make permanent street
improvements.
“These grants will not only enhance the quality of our neighborhoods, but
will also spur our local economy by increasing foot traffic along our
busiest boulevards,” said Los Angeles City Council President Herb J.
Wesson, Jr. who represents the 10th Council District. “The long-term
benefits of these projects will not only provide for the residents of the
tenth council district, but will serve Angelenos citywide for years to
come.”
The City received 37 applications from 99 partner organizations. An
external panel selected the winning teams based on the strength of their
community outreach strategy, and alignment with the Cityâs health,
mobility, and economic development goals.
Six of the seven project areas fall outside of the 15 Great Streets
corridors announced in 2014 â a first for the Great Streets Challenge.
âI am thrilled the Mayor selected Robertson Boulevard as a recipient of the
Great Streets Challenge grant, â said Councilmember Paul Koretz of the 5th
District. âIâve been working with the South Robertson Neighborhoods
Council to come up with creative ways to turn this major north/south thoroughfare
into a safer, more walkable, artistic and vibrant center for everyone. The
grant money will allow us to further our goals of creating, attracting, and
providing more community access, reducing commercial vacancies, improving
parking while enhancing safety for those by car, foot, transit or bike.â
The Great Streets Challenge builds on a series of neighborhood enhancement
projects launched in recent months by Mayor Garcettiâs Great Streets
Initiative. Most recently, Mayor Garcetti unveiled safety improvements
along a stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard.
*About the Great Streets Initiative*
Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Great Streets Initiative in October 2013
to transform streets across the city into more vibrant public spaces. A
Great Street is a street that serves as the center of a neighborhood, where
people can walk, meet, learn, and play on a daily basis. The Great Streets
Initiativeâs goals include improving safety and access, increasing economic
activity, and encouraging community engagement. For more information,
including a full list of Great Streets corridors and programs, visit
www.LAGreatStreets.org.
Articles on award:
Curbed LA
