OUR MISSION

"It is the mission of the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association to work cooperatively and interactively with the community, elected officials and state, federal and local agencies to enhance, beautify and improve local streetscapes, resulting in a better environment for both the commercial and the residential areas of Westchester."
 
OUr HISTORY

The Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association was founded in 2001 to oversee the implementation of an $11.6 million L.A. Department of Transportation capacity enhancement project on Sepulveda Boulevard.

However... our real beginnings took place when a handful of local residents formed a larger ad-hoc group of citizens to oppose the initial proposal of the Sepulveda Boulevard expansion. Plans included an expansion from 6 to 8 lanes, with curb lanes and peak hours restrictions - elements that did not benefit the interests of Westchester.

The energy and persistence of the first ad-hoc group influenced the City Council to halt the initial expansion project and to direct the LADOT to work with the citizens of the Westchester community on the roll out of the Sepulveda Blvd. expansion.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ruth Galanter, our local councilmember at the time, officially appointed the Sepulveda Task Force. We were on our way.

Funding was acquired form Councilmembers Ruth Galanter, and her successor, Cindy Miscikowski. With money in hand, we expanded our scope and worked to implement a series of community design workshops to craft a "new" vision for the future of Sepulveda Boulevard, starting at Centinela Ave. to the north and extending south to Lincoln Blvd.

People from all corners of the community, representing residents, businesses, city departments, commuters and more attended our workshops. Together we addressed the many divergent interests along the street to develop a realistic and buildable plan that could be implemented once funding requirements and sources were identified.

In 2003, we renamed ourselves the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Associatation and applied for and received 501 (C) 3 non-profit status. The project was officially completed January 7, 2010.
Sepulveda Before WSIA Enhancement.

Sepulveda After WSIA Enhancement.


One of the concerns resulting from the community workshops was how to maintain the new landscaping in the project. The suggestion was to form a Business Improvement District (BID). WSIA spearheaded the formation of the Westchester Business Improvement District with the cooperation of commercial property owners within the boundaries of the proposed BID. The BID is now known as the Westchester Town Center Business Improvement District and services the area with not only landscape maintenance, but also many other services. Please review their web site www.WestchesterTownCenter.com.