Mayor Bass is Leading a Comprehensive, Community-Led DTLA Revitalization Plan to Improve Public Safety, Clean Streets, and Drive Economic Activity
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today launched the city’s first Vacant to Vibrant program in Downtown Los Angeles to turn empty storefronts into thriving small businesses that will drive foot traffic to the Downtown area. The program is just one part of Mayor Bass’ comprehensive, community-led DTLA Revitalization Plan that is focused on strengthening public safety, creating cleaner and more welcoming streets and parks, activating vacant storefronts, and boosting economic activity.
During the press conference, Charlie Alston, a world-renowned artist, signed a lease to open a new art gallery in the Historic Core neighborhood, activating a storefront that was closed for a decade. This was made possible through Broadway Spring Center and the non-profit Art/Space 114’s partnership. Photos available here.
“Downtown is just 1% of our city’s land, but it’s home to more than 90,000 Angelenos and generates 30% of L.A.’s revenue. Revitalization is not optional, it’s essential,” said Mayor Bass. “Vacant to Vibrant is turning storefronts that have sat empty for years into thriving small businesses that will create jobs, increase foot traffic, and restore Downtown as a vibrant hub for economic, cultural, and civic life in Los Angeles.”
Alongside Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Mayor Bass is investing $500,000 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to launch the program in Downtown L.A. Additionally, with leadership from Councilmembers John Lee and Hugo Soto-Martínez, the City Council is helping identify additional funding to take Vacant to Vibrant citywide. Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez passed two state bills, recently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, to further encourage businesses and property owners to pursue Vacant to Vibrant programs.
“Downtown has no shortage of creativity or entrepreneurial spirit," said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. “We need to put our available spaces and resources to work so more small businesses have a chance to open their doors and succeed. Vacant to Vibrant is a practical investment in that opportunity – connecting empty storefronts with entrepreneurs who can bring new activity to our neighborhoods. My priority is making sure this investment supports businesses that can grow here and contributes to a Downtown where residents, workers, and local enterprises thrive.”
“When a storefront sits empty, it’s not just an empty space; it’s a lost opportunity for a local business, a mom-and-pop shop, a job, and the economic life of our Downtown,” said Assemblymember Mark González. “We need to move with urgency to get these storefronts filled and bring businesses back to Downtown LA and surrounding communities. AB 1679 and AB 2418 help us do just that by creating a pathway to activate vacant spaces and speeding up the permitting process. This is about making it easier for small businesses to open their doors, put people to work, and have a real chance to thrive and survive. I want to thank Mayor Bass, Councilmember Jurado, CCA and our DTLA residents for recognizing that Downtown’s vacancies require urgent, creative, and collaborative action.”
“Downtown belongs to the people who live, work, and create here,” said Assemblymember Sade Elhawary. “Vacant to Vibrant puts empty storefronts back in the hands of small business owners and artists who will bring these blocks back to life, and that's the kind of community-led investment our neighborhoods deserve. I'm proud to stand with Mayor Bass and our community partners in building a Downtown LA that works for everyone.”
The Central City Association’s (CCA) non-profit, Downtown Works, will administer the program, connecting property owners with qualified small businesses and helping turn empty storefronts into places where businesses can open, grow, and become part of Downtown’s future. Interest forms for both small businesses and property owners are now live at ccala.org/vacant-to-vibrant.
Central City Association President & CEO Nella McOsker emphasized that this initiative is part of an undeniable domino effect of capital investment returning to the urban core. McOsker stated, “this launch doesn't happen in isolation; it comes as part of a consecutive string of wins in our city center. From the expansion of the Convention Center, to graffiti abatement of Oceanwide Towers, to major corporate anchors like Banc of California and SoCalGas opening new offices in DTLA, we’re spurring a clear trajectory of reinvestment. Through programs like Vacant to Vibrant, we can continue to breathe new life into the economic engine of our city.”
“DTLA isn’t just a central business district, it’s a diverse residential neighborhood that is home to more than 90,000 people who rely on coffee shops, corner stores, and hairdressers to make our neighborhood a home. Vacant storefronts mean this neighborhood is less safe and livable for everyone. Last summer after the ice raids, protests and curfews took a major toll on DTLA, more than 700 residents rallied to advocate for a Vacant to Vibrant modeled after San Francisco’s program to accelerate DTLA’s recovery, and we’ve been working with the city to make this happen ever since,” said Cassy Horton, Co-Founder of the Downtown LA Residents Association. “We’re grateful that Mayor Bass and Councilmember Jurado have locked arms today with the business community and residents to sign the first of many new leases. We’re excited to welcome new businesses to the neighborhood and to help them succeed. We invite fellow Angelenos to do the same. A thriving Downtown is key to a thriving LA.”
By covering initial start-up and leasing costs for small business owners, Vacant to Vibrant will activate vacant storefronts, drive new foot traffic in commercial corridors and bring new economic, cultural and civic activity in Downtown. With the program proving successful in other major cities across the country, the launch of Vacant to Vibrant in the Historic Core neighborhood of Downtown is a crucial first step to taking the program citywide.
Today’s announcement comes as Mayor Bass continues to implement a comprehensive, community-led revitalization plan for Downtown Los Angeles. Additional actions taken by Mayor Bass include:
Creating the first Mayor’s Office Downtown LA Working Group, bringing together DTLA business leaders, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Resident & Neighborhood Associations, and more to create actionable, community-led solutions to improve the quality of life in key areas.
Using her power as Metro Board Chair, in partnership with Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, to deploy Metro Ambassadors at Pershing Square Metro Station up to five days a week, increasing ride safety and confidence.
Directing Metro to send HOME (Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement) workers two days a week, and increasing street level cleaning two additional days a week at Pershing Square Metro Station.
Empowering Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to partner with Recreation and Parks to complete fast, effective maintenance and beautification in Downtown.
Establishing the Biddy Mason Memorial Park’s Park Advisory Board (PAB), charting the path forward on programming, maintenance, infrastructure, and fundraising. The Biddy Mason Memorial Park PAB will also include a Subcommittee focused on Spring Street Park.
Instructing the LAPD to increase visible foot-beats in the Jewelry District and the Pershing Square area. This comes as LAPD has already increased the presence of patrol cars, horse patrols, foot patrols, and undercover units at the direction of Mayor Bass in Downtown.
Finalizing the approval of the expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Sixteen conferences have already signed-up to use the new event space, bringing more than 158,000 visitors Downtown, generating more than $340 million in economic impact for Los Angeles.