1000 days and counting for the LA 2028 Olympic Games, Mayor Karen Bass announces

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the city is 1000 days out from the Opening Ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games.

She also declared a new vision plan and signed a new executive directive aimed at streamlining the initiative.

During a news conference at Venice Beach on Friday, where several Olympic competitions will occur, Bass said her goal is to ensure the international event benefits Angelenos for generations to come, which she calls “Games for All.” 

"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 today, 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 today.

The 1984 Games continue 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.

Some of the improvement measures from the city have caused homeless service providers to be concerned, who believe the encampment sweeps and the clearing of unhoused residents from public view are shortsighted and harmful. 

Last month, six of Los Angeles County’s homeless service providers, including Homeless Outreach Program Integrated Care System (HOPICS), LA Family Housing,the People Concern, PATH Home,St. Joseph Center and Union Station Homeless Services, released a new report that warns how cuts from city, county, state and federal budgets could set Los Angeles back when it comes to reducing homelessness.

“With outreach and shelter capacity shrinking due to cuts, sweeps will not move people into housing. Instead, they will shuffle residents from street to street or in and out of jail, increase trauma, drive up enforcement costs and worsen community tensions,” they stated in the report. 

According to Smith, the upcoming games are an opportunity for both the city and the county to set an example of how homelessness should be treated and cared for in places that will host games and tourists.

The Los Angeles City Council advanced a proposal last week to establish an ordinance allowing temporary and permanent construction of facilities, installations and or activities for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"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.

Brenda Verano contributed to this story. Additional reporting by City News Service.