Seven more LA streets will be treated to ‘Great Streets’ makeovers

Since it’s introduction in 2013, LA’s Great Streets Program has reinvigorated thoroughfares with the addition of such pedestrian friendly features as plazas, art, and safer crosswalks.

The streets and commercial corridors selected for greatness have largely been decided on by city officials. But, the Great Streets Challenge offers communities a chance to submit their own projects for consideration, allowing, as Mayor Eric Garcetti puts it, “community groups to bring a vision to life.”

This week, the mayor’s office announced seven projects soon to receive a total of $2 million for street greatness.

The grants will transform, “streets across Los Angeles into vibrant, walkable spaces that reflect the unique character of their communities,” Garcetti said.

Four of the winning proposals are temporary pop up projects, and the other three involve building permanent street improvements. In addition, each project’s lead partner will receive up to $13,000 for community outreach.

Courtesy Great Streets Initiative

The winning seven projects were selected from 37 applications and represent a variety of LA neighborhoods. Here are the seven places where street improvements are headed:

1. In Watts, Wilmington Avenue between 103rd and Imperial Highway, will be spruced up with a pop-up project aimed at leading “a radical and positive transformation in Watts.”
2. New public space will be built on the traffic median at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Parthenia Street in Pacoima.
3. Pico Boulevard between Fairfax and Burnside Avenues will get a permanent build project that promises “a walkable and bikeable ‘destination’” with “vibrant public gathering spaces.”
4. Better street crossings and signs and improvements to engage “residents to build a strong culture around safety” are coming to portions of First and Fourth streets in Aliso Village.
5. Just east of Cheviot Hills, on the section of Robertson Boulevard between Cadillac and Kincardine Avenues, “pedestrian first policies, sustainable transportation options, and a multi-modal traffic grid” will be added.
6. In Thai Town, Hollywood Boulevard between Western Avenue and Harvard Boulevard will be treated to a pop up project that will “facilitate a safe, clean, highly walkable cultural destination ... by activating a community space”
7. In Park Mesa Heights, Crenshaw Boulevard will gain a pop up project between 52nd Street and 63rd street with the goal of creating “a safe, highly livable, and engaging Crenshaw Corridor” that will connect “the greater Park Mesa Heights/Hyde Park Neighborhood to existing amenities, public transportation, and local businesses.”

Image via Great Streets LA

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