What the Numbers Say about Downtown LA
A recent survey of Downtown Stakeholders show that 67 percent of the respondents say they love downtown LA, but only 44 percent think downtown is moving in the right direction. The survey was conducted by the Downtown LA Alliance, formerly known as the Downtown Center Business Improvement District.
Although the Alliance footprint is only a portion of downtown, generally the central business district, the research is of all of Downtown as the Alliance has played a leadership role in tracking trends from Chinatown to South Park for several years. The report can be downloaded here; https://downtownla.com/business/reports-and-research/dtla-2025
The overwhelming resident response about downtown LA is that 69 percent choose to live downtown because of the urban lifestyle, and 68 percent like the central location of downtown. Downtown residents walk, bike, scoot, or take transit more than all of greater LA. Fifty-five percent of the respondents say they have lived in downtown for five or more years and plan to continue to live downtown for another four or more years.
Challenges for living downtown are no surprise, homelessness and crime. At a March 18 community meeting, the Alliance highlighted its 24-hour-a day-security program and their homeless outreach efforts with PATH which provides supportive services for homeless individuals - https://epath.org/. Nonetheless, 35 percent of the respondents feel less safe than a year ago.
Other highlights from the report are more people have returned to the office a few days a week, helping the burgeoning restaurant business. Satisfaction with METRO has improved. And for each of the top activities in DTLA, people who live in DTLA are the ones eating out, attending an event, go shopping, visiting a museum or attraction, attending a concert/performance, going to bars and nightlife, and watching live sport the most. More than those who work in downtown. More than those who visit downtown. People who live in downtown really do love living here!!!! But we still have work to do.
By Debra Shrout