Nick's Notes

Building Community & Coalitions

The Downtown Center BID’s rebranding as the DTLA Alliance reflects the central role of partnerships in all that we do – partnerships with property owners, major employers, local businesses, city agencies, and other civic and cultural organizations. I participated in two events in March that highlight the importance of these partnerships.??

Bisnow’s DTLA State of the Market event at AON Center

At this event, I moderated a panel of Downtown leaders entitled?“DTLA 2024, 2028, 2040: How City, County and Civic Organizations Are Supporting Downtown’s Future as a Local Neighborhood, Regional Hub, and Global Destination”, featuring Stephen Cheung (LAEDC), Patti MacJennett (LA Tourism), Ray Sosa (LA Metro), Nella McOsker (CCA), and Samantha Millman (LA Planning Commission).,

Downtown’s recovery and revitalization depends on the commitment and collaboration of leaders and organizations like these across the public and private sectors. Through the challenges that we and other Downtowns across the country have faced over the last several years, I have often been reminded of the post-9/11 period in New York City. I was a commercial broker at the time and the prognosis was much more dire than ours today, but that crisis led to a revitalization that transformed Lower Manhattan into one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It is critical to recognize that revitalization didn’t just happen, it was the result of an unprecedented alliance of partners around a shared vision for the future.

Inaugural DTLA Alliance Trends & Outlook Breakfast at the Colburn School

Anchored by our newly released DTLA 2024 Outlook & Insights Report, featuring our annual survey of Downtown residents, workers, and visitors, this event was designed to connect with and support Downtown office tenants and workers.

With over 90 attendees, the event covered a range of topics including market trends, new restaurants, safety issues, and the DTLA Alliance’s new placemaking and office worker activation programs. The audience was also treated to a presentation on Colburn’s exciting expansion plan and a beautiful piano performance by a Colburn School student.

In a follow-up survey, 95% of respondents said the presentation made them feel more optimistic about DTLA and 100% said they would attend again, adding comments such as: “I found it inspiring to see many DTLA partners willing to collaborate on various projects in the coming year.” It is sentiments like those that motivate us to keep working to make DTLA the place you want to be – to live, work or play.