LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, joined by community members and City partners, broke ground on the Elden Elms Street Infrastructure Improvements, a $5 million pedestrian safety and greening project that will deliver major upgrades to streets surrounding the Elden Elms affordable housing development in Pico Union.
Funded through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, the project pairs affordable housing with long-overdue investments in safe streets, accessibility, and climate-forward infrastructure — prioritizing pedestrians, students, seniors, and transit riders in one of Los Angeles’ most densely populated neighborhoods.
“This is what real investment looks like,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. “In a city where it can take up to seven years to fix a sidewalk and where entire neighborhoods have been waiting decades for basic infrastructure, bringing five million dollars into Pico Union for safety and accessibility is a big deal. Safe streets aren’t a luxury — they’re a necessity, especially for working-class communities.”
The project includes comprehensive improvements within a half-mile radius of Elden Elms, including:
- 33 upgraded crosswalks
- 6 curb extensions
- 11 new streetlights
- 7 ADA-compliant access ramps
- More than 9,000 linear feet of reconstructed sidewalks
- 48 new street trees, improving shade, air quality, and climate resilience
These upgrades will significantly improve daily walking routes for families and students attending Leo Politi Elementary School, as well as residents who rely on walking, biking, and public transit.
“For our students and families at Leo Politi Elementary School, safe streets are something our kids rely on every single day to get to school and back home,” said Dr. Erika Moreno, Principal at Leo Politi Elementary School. “These improvements will make a real difference for families who walk, bike, or use transit, and they reflect what happens when the City invests in infrastructure with children and community at the center. We’re grateful for this partnership and excited to see safer, more accessible streets taking shape around our school.”
City departments worked collaboratively to bring the project to construction, including the Bureau of Engineering, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), and the Los Angeles Board of Public Works.
"This important project demonstrates what's possible when we align housing, transportation, and engineering to serve people,” said Nur Malhis, Principal Civil Engineer, Board of Engineers. “These improvements are designed to enhance safety, accessibility, and long-term durability. We are proud to partner with Council District 1 on this long-overdue initiative for our Pico Union neighbors."
The AHSC program is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by supporting walkable, transit-oriented communities and ensuring that affordable housing developments are surrounded by infrastructure that supports daily life.
“This project won’t just support the residents of Elden Elms, but the entire community,” said LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo. “These mobility improvements are designed to ensure that streets are safe, accessible, and supportive of people’s needs.
Councilmember Hernandez emphasized that concentrated investments like this are rare but essential in a city facing a massive infrastructure backlog.
“Los Angeles has tens of thousands of sidewalks in need of repair,” Hernandez added. “This project shows what’s possible when we prioritize equity, coordinate across departments, and commit real resources to communities that have been historically underinvested.”
Construction is now underway and will be completed in Spring 2026, marking a major milestone for Pico Union residents and demonstrating the impact of sustained public investment in safe streets and community infrastructure.
Photos from today’s press conference can be found here.