Agency / Organization:
Central City Association of Los Angeles (CCA)

Status:
Complete

Intent:
CCA launched “RISE DTLA” in April 2023, as a new comprehensive initiative for Downtown Los Angeles with four strategic pillars: -- Reinvigorate public spaces -- Incubate economic opportunities -- Strengthen public safety and wellness -- Envision Downtown’s vibrant future

RISE DTLA was formed in response to the pandemic-induced trends observed in DTLA, many of which are occurring in downtowns across the country. While the implications of DTLA’s reduced daytime office worker population continues to impact local businesses, increasingly high demand for living and visiting DTLA’s vibrant neighborhoods remains.

DTLA has less than 50% office occupancy on most days of the week due to remote work schedules. During the first year of the pandemic, sales tax receipts fell by -16% in DTLA compared to -7% in the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, more than 600 businesses closed in DTLA in the wake of the pandemic.

At the same time, DTLA’s residential population has grown to more than 80,000 residents, hotel occupancy is back to 71% (just four points below LA County’s rate) and the LA Convention Center is at 96% occupancy compared to 2019 event bookings. These trends demonstrate the demand for Downtown’s amenities and the need for CCA’s RISE DTLA to focus on tailored strategies that will support Downtown’s stability and future growth.

Omgivning was invited to participate as a Downtown leader and as a firm that has primarily dedicated all of their efforts to revitalizing DTLA since it’s founding during the great recession in 2009, and their Founder Karin Liljegren’s efforts since 1999.