The Melrose Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and the Mid City West Community Council have announced plans for a new pedestrian plaza in the Fairfax neighborhood.

The project originated from an event held by the Mid City West Community Council in 2017, when a small segment of Stanley Avenue to the north of Melrose was closed to automobile traffic, providing a temporary gathering space featuring seating and shade structures.  Building off of that experience, the BID and the neighborhood council are now aiming to recreate that space on a more lasting basis, submitting the project for a $200,000 grant from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation's People Street program.

The BID would be responsible for maintaining and programming the space, which would be adorned with decorative string lighting.  Potential events could include pet adoptions, tree and plant giveaways, and "bike rodeos."

A project website indicates that the space would be similar to other plazas built through the People Street program, such as those in Leimert Park, North Hollywood, and Silver Lake.

While the neighborhood council and BID have backed the project, some vocal residents of the surrounding neighborhood have proven less enthusiastic.  

One letter to the editor received by the Park La Brea News argues that the plaza argued that the project poses "dangers" to Stanley Avenue.

The website Melrose Action contends that the project would disrupt traffic patterns along the Melrose corridor, and suggests a series of parklets as a better option for providing open space in the Fairfax area.

The project's backers, through the official website, note that the proposed plaza would be a one-year "pilot," and could be terminated early if it was found to not be in the interests of the surrounding neighborhood.

A meeting to discuss the project will be held on August 7 at 6:30 pm at the Hope Lutheran Church (6720 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038).