The City of Los Angeles asked the ULI panel to focus on the revitalization of Vermont Avenue, a commercial strip hard hit by the unrest and decades of economic decline. Specifically, the city wanted advice on the amount and type of commercial development that should exist along Vermont Avenue, and the amounts and type of residential development that would be appropriate to support the commercial development and service the community’s needs. The panel also analyzed transportation needs, strategies to create and preserve affordable housing, infrastructure requirements and ways to encourage job creation and community ownership. Finally, the city asked the panel to suggest the planning tools and incentives that would be necessary and to outline a process for achieving those objectives, including a description of the roles of the various municipal departments.

This pro-bono panel completed its assignment on behalf of ULI and the City of Los Angeles after extensive research and interviews with a wide variety of the neighborhood, non-profit, governmental and business representatives. A detailed report documents the findings and recommendations.