The city of Los Angeles has approved nearly $5.3 million to improve pedestrian facilities near venues for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) will receive $4 million to speed up sidewalk repairs, focusing on areas surrounding event and watch party venues, as well as paths from transit stops to venues.

Sidewalk Repair Challenges

Broken sidewalks have been a chronic issue in Los Angeles, particularly for residents with disabilities. The city settled an ADA lawsuit in 2015, agreeing to spend $1.4 billion over 30 years on accessibility improvements. However, the program has made little progress, with some residents waiting over a decade for their access requests to be completed.

The new initiative, led by Mayor Karen Bass, partners with nonprofits like LANI and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps to change this. LANI has been helping homeowners fix broken sidewalks since 2000, using discretionary funding from local council districts. The organization works with council districts to estimate repair costs, pull necessary permits, and contract for the actual repair work.

Addressing Tree-Related Damage

Trees are a significant factor in sidewalk damage, but the city rarely removes them. Instead, LANI prunes roots on one side to maintain the tree’s stability, using a root guard to prevent further damage.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez launched the Youth Sidewalk Repair Program in 2024, offering hands-on job training to youth ages 18-26. The program has already seen 30 participants complete training, with 30 more set to join. Trainees are paid $18.50 per hour and learn to operate heavy machinery, including jackhammers and concrete cutters.

While the city invests in pedestrian infrastructure for the Olympics, disabled residents continue to wait for traversable sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Disability advocate Cynde Soto emphasizes the need for repairs in everyday areas, not just event venues.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.