With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mayor Announces 'Great Streets' Program to Focus on Main Streets
A Rapid 720 bus in traffic on Wilshire near Westwood (Photo by TinCanOrange via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Mayor Eric Garcetti issued his first executive order to make over 40 streets around the city to focus on Main Street livability.
"A great neighborhood needs a great street as its backbone, and, as city leaders, we need the backbone to make the bold changes necessary to build great streets," Garcetti said.
It's no secret our streets are bad. No matter what we try to do, our streets keep stinking.
While Garcetti has tried to address the problem with his Neighborhood Blitz operation, the Great Streets program aims to take it to the next level. Realizing that Main Streets are the heart of a neighborhood, this program will create a task force across five city departments to work with the public to help keep streets smooth along with tailoring projects to the surrounding communities.
Sponsored message
The task force will include officials from the planning, cultural affairs, transportation, public works and the economic and workforce development departments. They will work with the DWP and the MTA to coordinate projects.
"No more Bureau of Street Services paving a street on Monday, DWP digging it up on Tuesday," Garcetti said.
Deputy Mayor for City Services Doane Liu will call a meeting of the task force in the coming weeks which will then have 90 days to present a list of the 40 streets, mayoral aides told City News Service. The public will be able to be a part of the process, but nothing concrete has been disclosed yet.
The hope is to get working on the project in 18 months.
We've been lured by such promises over and over again. Let's see if Garcetti has the leadership to make sure his vision gets done.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
