Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass launched the City's first Vacant to Vibrant program in Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, an effort to turn empty storefronts into thriving small businesses.
The program is one part of Mayor Bass' comprehensive, community-led DTLA Revitalization Plan, which 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. The lease was made possible through Broadway Spring Center and the non-profit Art/Space 114's partnership.
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.
Separately, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the City of Los Angeles through Thursday, October 8. The City has hundreds of locations open for relief from the heat, including Recreation and Parks facilities and local library branches.
Dedicated cooling centers are operating under extended hours, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, citywide, including sites in Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Sunland, Boyle Heights, Highland Park, Lafayette Park, Algin Sutton, East Wilmington, Jim Gilliam and Pan Pacific. No public events are scheduled for Mayor Bass on Saturday, October 3 or Sunday, October 4.