The Southern California Association of Governments awarded three grants to the city of Los Angeles to improve neighborhood accessibility and further affordable housing, Mayor Karen Bass’ office announced Tuesday.
The grants, totaling $3.9 million, will support the mayor’s strategy to use city-owned land to develop affordable housing, as well as fund a traffic study regarding the impacts of potentially closing a portion of the street that runs through MacArthur Park, and to develop a plan for the Warner Center in the west San Fernando Valley.
SCAG is the nation’s “largest metropolitan planning organization,” representing six counties, 191 cities and 19 million residents, according to its website.
“We must continue to urgently pursue all available solutions to confront the homelessness crisis and that includes continuing our efforts to boldly and strategically use existing resources including city-owned property,” Bass said in a statement.
“Thank you to the Southern California Association of Governments for helping Los Angeles pursue more sustainable housing, sustainable transportation and accessible neighborhoods through this grant funding.”
Of the $3.9 million, about $2.9 million will support the city’s Housing Department. The grant will help re-envision how the city uses its “assets and how it partners with other public agencies to maximize housing production on infill public lands,” according to Bass’ office.
About $500,000 will be given to the Department of Transportation as it works with Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez’s office to examine the feasibility of reconnecting MacArthur Park, which is located at 2230 W. 6th in Hernandez’ 1st District, covering northwest and north of downtown Los Angeles.
“Reconnecting MacArthur Park will bring L.A.’s first major pedestrianized street to one of our most densely populated neighborhoods,” Hernandez said in a statement. “This community-led project will restore the park to its original state before it was cut in two during the 1930’s and will be a major step forward in addressing the historic inequities that impact the surrounding area.”
Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the 3rd District, which includes west San Fernando Valley, in partnership with StreetsLA, will use the remaining $500,000 to develop an active transportation plan for the Warner Center.
Since 2013, the Warner Center has seen rapid growth, including permitting or construction of more than 10,000 new housing units.
“This grant will help advance my vision of transforming the Warner Center into a walkable and bikeable `live-work-play’ neighborhood,” Blumenfield said in a statement. “It will help enhance connections among residential, office and commercial destinations, and to transit and active transportation corridors like the Orange Line and the Los Angeles River.”
Keith Mozee, executive director and general manager of StreetsLA, added that the project will also improve safety for the Warner Center community.
