Revitalizing Council District 1: The Role of Public Works in Restoring Public Spaces

The Board of Public Works, alongside Public Works Chair Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, recently toured MacArthur Park in Council District 1 (CD 1) to witness firsthand the ongoing and upcoming improvements. The Department of Public Works is playing a critical role in bringing CD 1 back to life, ensuring that streets, transit corridors, and public spaces are safer, more accessible, and sustainable. However, revitalizing a community is not a job for one department alone—it requires a collaborative effort between city agencies, elected officials, and residents. From street improvements and pedestrian safety projects to infrastructure upgrades, these efforts are shaping a more connected, livable, and resilient district.

For many residents of CD 1, navigating city streets—whether walking, biking, or taking public transit—can be a challenge. That’s why the Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) is investing in key projects to make the district’s roads and sidewalks safer and more welcoming:

• Maya Corridor Project
  • Enhancing pedestrian and transit infrastructure along 6th Street from Carondelet Street to Columbia Avenue.
  • Key features include:
    • Two completed gateway monuments at Park View Street and Columbia Avenue
    • Five decorative intersections and crosswalks
    • Fourteen custom bus stop lighting fixtures to improve nighttime safety
    • Forty new street trees, adding much-needed shade and environmental benefits
  • Safe Routes to School (SRTS) – Berendo Middle & Feeder Schools Project
    • Focused on pedestrian and cyclist safety near Berendo Middle School and three nearby elementary schools. 
    • Planned improvements include:
      • Curb extensions and traffic circles to slow vehicle traffic
      • Raised crosswalks and expanded pedestrian spaces
      • Pedestrian-activated flashing beacons and accessible signals
      • Speed humps and dedicated bicycle facilities
  • Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program (STAP)
    • A citywide initiative that is expanding into CD 1 to provide:
      • Shaded, well-lit bus stops for transit riders
      • Safer sidewalk infrastructure to encourage walking and alternative transportation
      • Improved seating and amenities to support increased use of public transit

Infrastructure improvements aren’t just about roads and sidewalks—environmental restoration and sustainability are just as critical to the district’s future. Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) is leading a major initiative with the MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project, which is set to transform how water is managed in the area.

• The project’s primary goals include:
   
  • Complying with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations for the Ballona Creek watershed
    
     
  • Enhancing lake water quality and reducing stormwater pollution
    
     
  • Offsetting potable water use through captured stormwater
    
     
  • Providing long-term environmental and community benefits
     

With 90% of the design already complete, the project is expected to go out for bid in July 2025, with construction beginning in January 2026. This initiative will not only restore the lake’s ecosystem but also support the City’s broader sustainability and stormwater management goals.

LASAN is also addressing infrastructure challenges faced by local businesses and street vendors. The Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Street Vendor Pilot Program is the first of its kind in Los Angeles, helping street vendors properly dispose of cooking oils and grease that can damage storm drains and pollute the environment. The installation of three grease collection containers in the El Salvadoran vendor corridor—along with dedicated outreach and education—demonstrates how city services are directly supporting small businesses while protecting public infrastructure.

CD 1 is also benefiting from major infrastructure enhancements led by the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), ensuring that public spaces and transit corridors are modern, functional, and built for the future:

• Rio de Los Angeles State Park - Fields Maintenance Improvements (Completion: Summer 2025)
  
   
  • Replacing three soccer fields (two synthetic, one natural turf)
    
     
  • Installing a prefabricated restroom and shade structures
    
     
  • Enhancing lighting, security cameras, and pathways to improve accessibility and safety
    
     
• Taylor Yard Bikeway/Pedestrian Bridge over the LA River (Completed 2022)
  
   
  • A 400-ft landmark bridge connecting the west and east sides of the LA River, improving bicycle and pedestrian access across the district
    
     
  • A major step toward a fully connected LA River Bikeway, providing safe, scenic, and sustainable transportation alternatives
     

Street lighting plays a crucial role in public safety, and the Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) is continuing efforts to repair vandalized streetlights and upgrade infrastructure throughout CD 1. But beyond routine maintenance, BSL is also working hand-in-hand with BOE to integrate new lighting systems into major infrastructure projects, ensuring that streets, sidewalks, and public spaces are well-lit and secure for residents.

The projects mentioned above are just a few of many happening throughout the district. Revitalizing CD 1 is not just about fixing roads or upgrading infrastructure—it’s about creating a safe, accessible, and built-for-all community. From protecting small businesses to enhancing public transit and pedestrian safety, these projects highlight the essential role of public works in shaping the district’s future.

But this transformation cannot happen without collaboration. The Department of Public Works, Council District 1, and multiple city agencies are working together with residents to rebuild, restore, and reconnect CD 1. The district is on a clear path toward a more vibrant and equitable future through smart investments, sustainable solutions, and continued public engagement.