Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Friday marked one-thousand days out from the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games by announcing a so- called "Games for All" vision plan and signed a new executive directive aimed at streamlining the initiative.
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During a news conference at Venice Beach -- a venue for several Olympic competitions and where the first medal of the Games will be awarded for triathlon athletes -- Bass emphasized her goal is to ensure the international event benefits Angelenos for generations to come.
"The 2028 Games are an opportunity to reimagine our infrastructure, strengthen community resilience and expand opportunity for all Angelenos -- a true `Games for All,"' Bass said in a statement. "This is my vision for the 2028 Games -- an L.A. made better for all Angelenos. We will accelerate street projects, streamline city processes and permitting requirements and make sure that we are taking advantage of the economic impact when we welcome the world. L.A. will shine on the world stage."
Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the 11th Council District, which includes Venice, said in a statement that it will be a dream come true for the Westside to host the Olympic medal ceremony.
"We've worked hard to make sure Venice had a seat at the Olympic table, and now we're preparing to welcome the world to our shores. Today's executive directive by Mayor Bass will serve to expedite our efforts," Park said in her statement.
The 28-page vision plan outlined nine key areas: accessibility, human rights, youth sports, community business opportunity, sustainability, workforce development and local hire, as well as arts and culture, community engagement and celebration, and streets and transit.
This is the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympic Games, and the first time serving as the host for the Paralympic Games.
In 1932, amid the Great Depression, Los Angeles generated $1 million in surplus as the host city of the Games, which is equivalent to almost $24 million Friday, according to city officials. In 1984, the city hosted the world for the Games once again, generating a $233 million surplus or approximately $722 million Friday.
The 1984 Games continues to fund youth sports and public education programs throughout the region more than 40 years later.
To execute her vision of a "Games for All," the mayor's latest directive establishes the Office of Major Events as the overseeing entity of Games planning, led by former City Council President Paul Krekorian.
The office will coordinate with city departments and engage external stakeholders to prepare for the 2028 Games. The directive mandates that general managers and directors prioritize planning, operations and legacy initiatives for the Olympics.
The office will convene and lead working groups on operations, mobility and development services.
City staff will work to expedite and streamline major public transit projects alongside Metro such as several new Bus Rapid Transit projects, the G (Orange) Line Improvements project, the Washington/Flower Wye Improvements project, among others. Additionally, departments will work to identify additional facilities or properties that could be rented by countries, organizing committees, companies and organizations for various purposes.
"The 2028 Games are America's Games, and we have been working for more than a decade to get ready for this moment," Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement. "We're opening new, transformative transit projects every year and we're taking opportunity to hone our skills."
"We're making Metro safer, cleaner and better every day, and I'm confident that Metro will deliver a great experience for visitors in 2028 while maintaining service for our regular riders," Wiggins added.
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