And now, the conclusion of the 2015 Curbed Cup, our annual award for the Los Angeles Neighborhood of the Year. Because this is the most important decision of all time, the polls will be left open until midnight on Thursday, January 1, at which point we will declare the winner of the coveted golden jpeg. Let the final battle begin!
Pacoima? Pacoima! The Valley enclave has torn through the competition to become the tournament's unlikely powerhouse. It's been working hard all year to subvert the stereotypes, with lots of plans for greenery and walkability. The Pacoima Wash is already looking much nicer these days; this year, the community opened a public plaza under the city's People St. program, and it was announced that a CicLAvia will run through in 2016. There are also plans for a walkable strip of retail to serve as a Main Street. And don't forget the neighborhood's ever-evolving Mural Mile.
West Adams has been rallying its troops and their coordinated campaign has landed them right here in the finals. The neighborhood is not just one of the classiest architectural areas in the city, it's also transit accessible, and now it's even getting a grocery store. A developer announced plans this year to build an enormous complex by the Expo Line's Jefferson/La Cienega stop; it's set to have the tallest tower around and an enormous supermarket, among lots of other stuff. The 'hood also has a nice little arts scene, with Gallery 38 opening this year and The Landing moving into a new space. West Adams also joined its nearby neighbors in University Park protesting oil drilling in the neighborhood.
· Curbed Cup 2015 [Curbed LA]