Van Nuys Boulevard Los Angeles, California Leveraging Existing Assets to Engage the Community

Lessons Learned »» Capitalize on assets and existing identity, and Van Nuys Boulevard in Los Angeles spans under the federal poverty limit, and one in ten leverage those assets the central San Fernando Valley, running about working-age adults in Pacoima are unemployed. to draw visitors to the ten miles through communities of varying demo- The corridor is characterized by a wide corridor. graphics. ULI Los Angeles and a group of local automobile-oriented road, small-scale commer- »» Demonstrate changes to the corridor, when- stakeholders chose to focus on the 0.75-mile cial establishments, inadequate pedestrian and ever possible, through stretch of Van Nuys that runs through the heart of bicycle infrastructure, and adjacent single-family temporary infrastructure the Pacoima neighborhood. Located 30 minutes homes. The corridor also contains unique cultural improvements and pop- north of downtown Los Angeles, Pacoima is a elements, including colorful murals and small up events; then gauge vibrant and diverse community that also has some businesses that cater to the surrounding Latino community response and achieve buy-in from of the city’s highest poverty and crime rates and community. Melani Smith, a Los Angeles–based residents and business poorest health outcomes. The neighborhood ex- urban planner and chair of the local leadership owners before more per- hibits some of the city’s highest concentrations of group, described it this way: “Van Nuys is an manent improvements childhood obesity, diabetes mortality, and stroke. underperforming area in Los Angeles that at the are made. Pacoima is a high-needs neighborhood, with an same time has enormous potential in the power average per capita yearly income of $13,180 (one of its engaged community, lively arts scene, and of the lowest in the city) and an average median local entrepreneurial spirit.” household income well below that of the city. Van Nuys Boulevard’s unique cultural resources More than one in five Pacoima residents falls and active local organizations provide a strong

34 BUILDING HEALTHY CORRIDORS Quick Facts »» Length of Study Section: 0.75 miles »» Average Number of Lanes: 5 lanes of traffic »» Average Posted Vehicle Speed: 35 mph »» Available Transit Options: Bus »» Bike Lanes: 0 miles »» Sidewalks: 100 percent of the corridor has sidewalks on both sides, but there is a lack of pedestrian ame- nities, such as benches. »» Income Data: Per capita income of $13,180; 20 percent of Pacoima residents are under the federal poverty limit; 10 percent are unemployed. »» Health Issues: High lev- els of childhood obesity, diabetes mortality, and stroke in adjacent neigh- The Van Nuys Boulevard corridor area (shaded) and surroundings. (Google Maps) borhoods. »» Land Use: Primarily fast- food restaurants, strip foundation for enhancing the economic, environ- During the workshop, the local leadership malls, and automobile repair shops; there are no mental, and physical health of the community. group presented summaries of past plans for the parks or open spaces in The street has been identified as one of the 15 area and tied them together as an overall wish list the corridor. “Great Streets” segments being championed for the neighborhood. Items on the list includ- »» Distinguishing Features: throughout the city of Los Angeles by Mayor Eric ed pedestrian- and bike-friendly amenities and Selected as a corridor Garcetti’s office, and it is being considered for the residents’ desires to turn Van Nuys into a quieter, for the LA Great Streets route of a new Metro bus rapid transit (BRT) or cleaner, and safer corridor. In an interactive discus- Initiative, the corridor has numerous murals by local light-rail line, which would enhance connectivity sion, the stakeholders considered how a healthy artists and is a possible between the neighborhood and the surrounding corridor is defined, what elements currently exist, corridor for a future bus area. In addition, a new neighborhood “City and what elements are needed along Van Nuys. rapid transit (BRT) or Hall” and entrepreneur center have laid the foun- The group also discussed ideas for a pilot project light-rail transit route. dation for a transformation rooted in community along Van Nuys that would demonstrate its poten- needs and desires. tial as a healthy corridor, and the group consid- ered who should be involved in that project. OPPOSITE: Unique elements, in- Local Work for Change Key issues that emerged during the workshop cluding colorful murals, contribute to the cultural character of the In the summer of 2015, Van Nuys Boulevard’s local included the need to improve the perception and corridor. (Rosa Ruvalcaba/flickr) leadership group held a stakeholder workshop reality of safety (including traffic, crime, and gang that brought together the arts, health, business, activity), encourage education and training tied to social service, education, public sector employ- the arts and culture scene, find new uses to improve ees, and community stakeholders who had not economic and public health, and engage all popula- been connected previously. Participants presented tions and ages in decisions that affect the corridor. information about the numerous planning efforts Another big challenge in this area is housing; for the area, and the group was able to establish a numerous single-family houses have been illegally foundation of common understanding around the converted into multifamily dwellings, thus creating need to improve the health of those who rely on extremely dense and potentially dangerous living Van Nuys Boulevard. “Bringing ULIs ‘healthy places’ conditions. The Los Angeles City Council District and ‘healthy corridor’ lenses to a place like this led office intends to maintain the affordability of the us to bring a range of stakeholders to the table area while converting the illegal conversions into that had not collaborated together previously,” formalized—and safe—residential options that Smith noted. meet building codes.

CHAPTER 3: BUILDING A HEALTHY CORRIDOR 35 Recommendations the strong arts and culture in the community, the The local workshop helped bring area stake- opportunity for change, and the diversity of the holders together to discuss current and potential area. The team provided recommendations in issues concerning Van Nuys Boulevard. It also set three overarching categories: community health the stage and identified study questions for the and development, economic development, and national study visit held in February 2016. marketing strategies focused on getting people to the boulevard. Those categories framed specific STUDY QUESTIONS: recommendations, including ideas for introducing »» In an economically and environmentally programming, expanding opportunities for local challenged but culturally rich area such as businesses through training and an organizational Pacoima, what opportunities exist for improv- structure, and embracing social media and the ing the health and economic well-being of the arts to bring people to the corridor. community, whether through providing jobs, Key recommendations included the following: services, or goods? PLACEMAKING AND PROGRAMMING: Leverage »» How can Van Nuys Boulevard property owners social connectedness through strategies including take advantage of the imminent opportunity enhancing active transportation safety, conve- presented by a proposed new transit line and nience, and aesthetics; producing regular marquee other investments in the corridor to develop events and programming, such as a chalk-art businesses now and prevent displacement in street mural festival that celebrates Pacoima’s the future? unique and diverse culture; cultivating a “Pacoima Week” that celebrates local culture, community, The national experts reviewed the assets and and food; participating in CicLAvia or other Great challenges of Van Nuys Boulevard. Assets include Streets events that are supported by the mayor’s a high percentage of homeownership in the area, office and that occur along Van Nuys; and creat- an entrepreneurial spirit, and a corridor that has ing places for the community to gather outdoors. continuous sidewalks with buildings adjacent to the road rather than set back from it. Converse- PUBLIC SAFETY: Improve the perception of safety ly, a clearly automobile-dominated street with in the area by facilitating agreements among high traffic speeds and few pedestrian and bike businesses to stay open later; by promoting amenities creates a challenging environment. A family-friendly and active spaces, businesses, and lack of business diversity, as well as a lack of busi- activities; and by working with the local library to nesses that remain open after 5:00 p.m., creates become even further involved with the community. challenges to serving daily community needs. In HOUSING: Encourage healthy housing in Pacoima addition, a lack of policies or regulations to sup- by allowing and streamlining the permitting pro- port the creation of safe accessory dwelling units cess for multiple-family units. has contributed to the current housing concerns. HEALTHY FOOD: Increase access to healthy food To emphasize the existing assets, the partic- by creating a location on the corridor where resi- ipants created a three-pronged value structure dents can sell neighborhood produce on a regular for a healthy Van Nuys Boulevard that highlights basis; by identifying an existing restaurant in the San Fernando Valley and developing tools to en- courage it to locate in Pacoima; and by enhancing education around food growing, production, and safety. LOCAL BUSINESSES: Build up the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Van Nuys by expanding business de- velopment opportunities, promoting and featuring local businesses, and providing training and men- torship opportunities to local business owners. MARKETING AND IDENTITY: Leverage opportu- nities, including a logo for the “Celebrate Pacoima” tagline; embrace hashtags like #celebratepacoima and #muralmile; invest in street-lamp banners to highlight the corridor; and look at new events including a “Pacoima at Night” night market and evening art walks. Define a “heart of Pacoima” through street and infrastructure transformation and a murals program that highlights the history of Pacoima.

The national study group participants recom- mended that the local team and stakeholders prioritize the following: demonstrate street infra- structure transformation on one section of Van Nuys Boulevard, use city resources to create a city liaison position to work with local businesses, and position Pacoima City Hall as a catalyst for change by using the space for programs and events. the potential long-term changes that would result Next Steps from creating a more vibrant, healthy, and people- At the inception of the Healthy Corridors project friendly Van Nuys Boulevard. in early 2015, the ULI Los Angeles staff and ULI Los Angeles and members constructed pop- members started working with Los Angeles Mayor up streetscape elements, including a temporary Eric Garcetti’s office, 7th District councilmember parklet and curb extensions. Other area partners Felipe Fuentes and his staff, and local stakehold- provided information, demonstrations, and inter- ers to envision how Van Nuys Boulevard could be active exercises intended to create healthier peo- improved in health-promoting ways. ple and places. The purpose of the Health Zone Through research and conversations with local was not only to show what a healthy corridor— OPPOSITE TOP: During the organizations and public officials, the team recog- and a healthy Pacoima—could look like but also national study visit, experts nized very early in the project that for many years to help build a constituency for and relationships toured Van Nuys Boulevard the community and consultant teams had offered to support greater access to health resources. and the surrounding neighbor- many great ideas for making Pacoima a healthier Along this section of Van Nuys, a lane reduction hoods. (Sara Hammerschmidt) place to live. Those ideas ranged from encourag- to be completed by the end of 2016 will improve OPPOSITE BOTTOM: A wide, ing physical activity and creating safer environ- the safety and walkability of the corridor. The local automobile-oriented road prevents ments to improving access to healthy food. With leadership group is working on enhancing the arts safe walking and biking along such ideas in mind, the local leadership group and culture focus of the corridor, and the group and across Van Nuys Boulevard. planned a demonstration project that would allow continues to work with community partners to (Jonathan Nettler) community members to see, feel, and experience support the partners’ work in Pacoima. The group TOP: The Pacoima Health Zone what a healthier Van Nuys Boulevard could be. is also developing a plan to implement national included information booths, pop- up infrastructure projects, healthy On March 6, 2016, Van Nuys Boulevard was study visit recommendations, including the recom- living demonstrations, and inter- closed to automobiles as part of CicLAvia, a mendation to continue community programs and active exercises. (ULI Los Angeles) recurring open-streets event that catalyzes good local business enhancement and retention and the ABOVE: A temporary parklet con- health, active transportation, and lively public recommendation to identify funding sources. structed during CicLAvia served to spaces. ULI Los Angeles worked with partners Through those efforts, progress is underway illustrate what more permanent and stakeholders in Pacoima to plan the Pacoima to transform Van Nuys Boulevard into a healthier, street improvements could look Health Zone—a demonstration project modeling more complete street. like. (ULI Los Angeles)

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