Time for Action: Mayor Bass, Lead LA Towards a Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan

This fall, Investing in Place took a significant step towards improving the infrastructure of Los Angeles by sending a letter to Mayor Karen Bass and key City Council committee chairs. This letter, endorsed by over 80 organizations and individuals, calls for the establishment of a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the city.

 

This initiative marks a crucial milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure that the City’s investment in the public right-of-way aligns with the community’s needs and addresses the substantial challenges of maintaining a city’s infrastructure, particularly one of the scale and complexity of Los Angeles.

 

Since 2017, Investing in Place has collaborated with Los Angeles City staff, experts in the field, and community partners to develop strategies that ensure public funds are spent wisely to enhance LA’s sidewalks and streets. Unfortunately, Los Angeles remains one of the few major U.S. cities without a comprehensive CIP, a gap that we believe needs urgent attention.

 

Our letter outlines nine key principles that we believe must guide the development of a CIP for Los Angeles. These principles, detailed in the letter’s attachment, emphasize the importance of a clear vision, fostering collaboration, and increasing transparency. By adhering to these principles, the CIP can serve the entire city, ensuring that investments are made thoughtfully, strategically, and equitably for a lasting impact.

 

Community engagement has been at the heart of our efforts. Through numerous conversations with community members and leaders across Los Angeles, a clear consensus emerged: the city desperately needs a CIP, and the process of developing it must be intentional and inclusive. The overwhelming support for this initiative, as evidenced by the signatures of over 80 supporters listed in the letter’s second attachment, underscores the urgent need for action.

 

We are calling on Mayor Bass to set the citywide vision for how we actualize this goal. Imagine policymakers, city departments, bureaus, community organizations, business leaders, and all community members locking arms in a united front to improve the condition of Los Angeles’ sidewalks and streets. The Mayor’s leadership will be instrumental in guiding this collective endeavor.

 

As we continue to advocate for this critical initiative, we invite all stakeholders to join us in supporting the call for a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan for Los Angeles. Together, we can ensure that our city’s infrastructure meets the needs of all its residents, now and in the future.

 

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and how you can get involved in this transformative effort. Let’s work together to build a better Los Angeles!