A Conversation with Ysabel Jurado, South Park’s Newly Elected CD 14 Representative
Ysabel Jurado defeated incumbent Kevin de Leon for the (Council District 14 (CD 14) seat on the LA City Council in the November election with 57.17% of the votes. She was sworn in at a public ceremony on December 10. Ysabel is the first woman to hold the seat since CD 14 was established in 1925.
Ysabel, Marty Goldberg, and I met on Zoom to talk about her next steps, interests, and vision for CD 14. Ysabel answered our questions and by this I mean she answered the questions we asked. She outlined her first 100 days as a council member, shared values she holds regarding leadership, and talked about a vision for downtown. We share our conversation with you.
Ysabel began by talking about what she is working on (this interview took place before she was sworn in), which included a plan for her first 100 days in office. She said that although during the campaign she heard from people who were planning to vote, she also wants to hear from those who did not vote or did not vote for her. “I need to hear what they have to say to solve constituent problems. I want to be a resource for all citizens.” Ysabel added, “Citizens many times have ideas on what needs to be done, how to solve a problem, and I need to hear that too.”
The first 100 days also includes listening to small business owners who don’t have embedded protections or resources like large businesses. “They need a liaison to help expediate solutions.” Small businesses are essential for the growth of neighborhoods and downtown.
The third focus of her first 100 days is to address the lighting problem in downtown, including South Park. “Lighting is an easy step for safety.” Ysabel said 70% of downtown street lights are not working and half of the problem is maintenance. She wants to use solar where it works (enough daylight to charge the solar panels), but also address lighting where solar is not an option. Safety in general is a concern she has and she sees lighting as part of the solution which could be accomplished more quickly while working on other safety problems that will take more time to solve. Ysabel supports the efforts of DTLA RA (Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association) which is also trying to solve the downtown lighting problem.
Ysabel’s interests include equity across the CD 14 district. She wants everyone to have a voice. “I believe in co-governance, partnerships, coalition, all having a seat at the table.” She is meeting with “everyone” within CD14 – including residents, business owners, neighborhood/resident groups, BIDS, LAPD, and others. She said she will work with all. During the campaign, she was known as the candidate who wanted to “defund the police.” She was firm in stating that while she may not like everything LAPD does, she will work with them for the betterment of CD 14. Ysabel said she, “will use every resource available, triage the problem, and fill in gaps in services.”
Regarding downtown LA and South Park, she wants to see a renaissance in downtown including park space and community space. We mentioned that SPNA supports the proposed park on 11th and Grand. She was aware of the project. She wants to grow a place with more people, safety, and transit that works for the residents.
Big events will be coming to LA and downtown –2025 US Open, 2026 NBA Allstar, 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl LXI, 2028 Summer Olympics, 2028 Para-Olympics. Ysabel said we need to prepare for these events but make lasting decisions that are also good for the residents and neighborhoods after the events are over. “We need to harness the economic development” brought to LA by these events.
Alas, our conversation came to an end because Ysabel needed to move on to her next appointment. The South Park Neighborhood Association is ready to take a seat at the table and be a part of a bigger coalition working for South Park, downtown, and CD 14.
By Debra Shrout and Marty Goldberg