The people-friendly makeover imagined for Western Avenue through Mayor Eric Garcetti's Great Streets Initiative could be getting a little bit grander in scope.

The project, dubbed "Welcome to Western," is intended to bring commercial facade improvements, new street trees, and public art installations to Western Avenue between 3rd Street in the south and Melrose Avenue in the north.  LA Más, the non-profit urban design firm coordinating the $400,000 project, had originally focused on specific hubs along the approximately one-mile stretch.

However, according to a motion introduced by Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu, the community outreach and design process yielded a more substantial project than afforded to the initial project.  He has proposed allocated an additional $200,000 to the project via CRA/LA Excess Bond proceeds to add the following elements to the program:

  • Painting light poles Installing "medallions" on light poles;
  • Painting parking meter poles green;
  • Powder coating 20 new cycle hoop bike racks;
  • Adding decorative screens and ground patterning to existing and new bus shelters; and
  • Enhancing existing hub designs to make them more robust and sustainable.

Ryu's motion has been referred to the City Council's Economic Development Committee for consideration.

The Great Streets Initiative, announced in 2015, is intended to bring similar improvements to 16 commercial corridors across the City of Los Angeles.  According to its official website, the program has already brought improvements to Western Avenue in the form of new wall and utility box murals, continental crosswalks, sidewalk repairs, and upgraded bus shelters and street furniture.  Additional murals and tree plantings are also planned.