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Seven Los Angeles 'Great Streets' to Re-imagine Public Space

By City News Service
February 3, 2017
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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Friday announced the winners of the Great Streets Challenge, with a total of $2 million awarded for seven projects designed to improve the city's commercial corridors.

"Our streets belong to the people who use them every day, and the Great Streets Challenge empowers Angelenos to re-imagine public spaces in their own neighborhoods," Garcetti said.

"These grants will allow community groups to bring a vision to life -- transforming streets across Los Angeles into vibrant, walkable spaces that reflect the unique character of their communities," he said.

Seven projects were selected as winners out of 37 applications from 99 community organizations, and include projects in Watts, Boyle Heights, Panorama City and on the Westside.

The winning community partners will receive up to $13,000 for community outreach, and will be supported by city staff in implementing the projects, according to Garcetti's office.

The winning projects and their locations are

  • Grant Housing & Economic Development Corporation and Watts Re:Imagined at Wilmington Avenue between 103rd Street and Imperial Highway;
  • Pacoima Beautiful at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Parthenia Street;
  • Pico Great Street Collaborative at Pico Boulevard between Fairfax Avenue and Burnside Avenue;
  • Proyecto Pastoral at 1st Street between Mission Road and Gless Street and 4th Street between Gless Street and Clarence Street;
  • South Robertson Community Foundation at Robertson Boulevard between Cadillac Avenue and Kincardine Avenue;
  • Thai Community Development Center at Hollywood Boulevard between Western Avenue and Harvard Boulevard; and
  • West Angeles Community Development Corporation at Crenshaw Boulevard between W. 52nd and W. 63rd streets.
  • Fifth District Councilman Paul Koretz said he was "thrilled" the mayor selected Robertson Boulevard as a Great Streets Challenge grant recipient.

"I've 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," Koretz said.
"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," he said.

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