Welcome to Western

How can Western Avenue be re-imagined to become a more walkable, safe, and vibrant business corridor?

 

Welcome to Western is a public realm project informed by the many different users of Western Ave between Melrose and 3rd St. Over the course of the past year, LA-Más facilitated three public events and listened to many different Western Ave locals to learn about their diverse experiences on the street and how it could be improved. All this feedback informed the design of a variety of physical sidewalk improvements that enhance the pedestrian experience and benefit the small businesses on Western Ave.

Through robust engagement with Western’s diverse constituents, LA-Más heard the following goals for the street: make Western a place that feels safe and welcoming; support local small businesses and enhance vibrancy; and help Western feel more friendly to pedestrians. To learn more, click here to read the Community Snapshot report.

After over six months of permitting and installation, we unveiled the project at a Community Festival in August 2018. The festival featured diverse music and dance performances, arts workshops, community booths, and a scavenger hunt highlighting local businesses. New improvements that can be enjoyed along Western include:

  • 30 furniture pieces and sidewalk painting @ Western/1st*

  • 73 trees planted*

  • 75 colored light poles*

  • 15 sets of aluminum palm leaves on light poles

  • 11 Welcome to Western posters at transit stations

  • 1 bus shelter mural @ Western/Beverly

  • 20 bike racks on parking meters

  • 6 storefronts painted*

  • 30 trash bins

  • 6 utility box murals*

  • 2 new mid-block crossings with flashing signal **

* Improvements will be maintained by KYCC for the next 5 years
**LADOT approved two new mid-block crosswalks with a new type of flashing signal on Western between 1st/2nd and Beverly/Council. Installation schedule pending!

Like the Welcome to Western project on Facebook to see more photos and stay up to date on project updates! Also, check out Curb’s article on this project!

Welcome to Western is a Great Streets project made possible by Councilmember David Ryu and Council President Herb Wesson in partnership with LA-Más and the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC). The community festival is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Community Partners, with additional support from Council District 4.

Thanks to our partners who helped make all these improvements possible!

DLA Architecture + Fabrication (Install Manager); Tortoise Industries, Inc. (Steel Fabrication);  Nous Engineering (Structural Engineering); Outfront / JCDecaux Street Furniture (Transit Hub Art); LA Sign Company (Light Pole Painting); Mural Painter LA (Utility Boxes); Laser Bend (Aluminum)