The city of Los Angeles has been awarded a $500,000 grant to support the initial phase of a project that aims to reconnect MacArthur Park, located near downtown, by permanently closing a section of Wilshire Boulevard. This collaborative effort involves Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez’s office, the city’s Department of Transportation, and the Central City Neighborhood Partners. The grant, provided by the Southern California Association of Governments, will fund a comprehensive traffic analysis focusing on the permanent closure of the designated stretch of Wilshire Boulevard between Parkview Street and Alvardo Street. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) will oversee the study, with Hernandez’s office and CCNP leading community engagement initiatives.
“Reconnecting MacArthur Park will introduce Los Angeles’ first major pedestrianized street to one of our most densely populated neighborhoods,” stated Hernandez. “This community-led project aims to restore the park to its original state before it was divided in the 1930s, addressing historical inequalities that affect the surrounding area.”
Margarita Alvarez Gomez, executive director for CCNP, highlighted her organization’s decade-long efforts in engaging tens of thousands of community members on transportation and traffic safety projects. “This initiative goes beyond transportation. It is an investment in the Westlake and Pico-Union communities, affirming their importance and value. It truly embodies the principles of equity,” Gomez expressed.
The closure of the specified section of Wilshire Boulevard will reunite the divided MacArthur Park, and serve as the foundation for a comprehensive “One-Park” plan. This plan involves converting 1.7 acres of heavily trafficked roadway into a high-quality park space that accommodates bicycles, pedestrians, and transit infrastructure. The transformation will take place in one of Los Angeles’ most densely populated neighborhoods.
“This grant will enable us to find community-driven solutions to enhance safety and accessibility in MacArthur Park, a crucial transportation hub and community destination,” said Laura Rubio-Cornejo, General Manager of LADOT. She emphasized that the project aligns with the city’s objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality in one of Los Angeles’ most urbanized regions.
According to Hernandez’s office, the Westlake and Pico Union neighborhoods surrounding MacArthur Park have a history of socio-economic disadvantages. Over one-third of households in these areas are considered overcrowded, which is 11 times higher than the national average. Furthermore, the neighborhoods lack sufficient open spaces, with only 0.5 acres of public parks per 1,000 residents compared to the city’s average of 8.9 acres per 1,000 residents.
The project aims to restore an area that currently represents a “hotspot” on the city’s high-injury network. Additionally, it aligns with the city’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality in one of Los Angeles’ most urbanized regions.
The first phase of the project, the traffic study, is projected to be completed by the end of 2025. In the meantime, Hernandez’s office plans to temporarily close the section of Wilshire Boulevard and organize community programs on weekends throughout 2024 and 2025, allowing LADOT to conduct the necessary traffic analysis.
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