After the Palisades Recreation Center was severely damaged in January's wildfires, a public-private partnership will rebuild the community center and restore activities for residents on the Westside, it was announced Thursday.
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During a morning news conference in the Palisades, Mayor Karen Bass joined Steadfast LA and LA Strong Sports, two private organizations, to announce their partnership and plans to restore the recreation center.
"The city's number-one pledge has been to eliminate any and every obstacle in the way of rebuilding, and we are forging new partnerships with all sectors as we continue to move Los Angeles forward," Bass said in a statement.
According to Bass, the Palisades Recreation Center, library and playground served as vital pieces of the community. The city pushed for the Army Corps of Engineers to clear fire debris from these areas -- which has been done.
Led by billionaire Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass in the mayoral election in 2022, Steadfast LA launched in February. The coalition of business leaders from Gensler, CBRE, Parsons, Esri, Latham & Watkins LLP, among others, are using their expertise and private connections to rebuild Pacific Palisades.
"This public-private partnership to rebuild the Rec Center with the City and in collaboration with civic leaders, local groups, and industry experts demonstrates the vision of Steadfast LA in action," Caruso said in a statement.
Caruso noted Steadfast LA will take a similar approach with assisting Altadena and Malibu as well, other areas in L.A. County impacted by fires.
JJ and Chelsea Rednick, Charles and Jenna Jackson and Kylee Kilgore formed LA Strong Sports in late March to build top-tier sports and recreation facilities in Los Angeles following the fire emergencies.
"We visited the Pali Rec Center the same day we decided to move to the Palisades," JJ and Chelsea Rednick said in a statement. "That visit showed us not only how important the park was as a physical space, but how the people and families who took advantage of it made up the beating heart of the community."
Charles and Jenna Jackson added that rebuilding the rec center will reclaim the space for community members, who suffered immense loss.
The coalition has held meetings with residents and organizations with close ties to the park. They are forming design plans for the construction of the new center.
They expect to host further discussions, refine their design plan and release details in the near future.
According to the mayor's office, this partnership comes on the heels of a previous city announcement that it secured a private $1.3 million donation for a new playground at the park.
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