Placemaking
Creating a World-Class Public Realm
In 2024, the DTLA Alliance launched a new Placemaking initiative designed to complement existing programming and enhance the Downtown Center’s built environment with projects that improve public safety and infuse public spaces with vibrancy. Through public-private partnerships, the organization has championed beautification and activation efforts ranging from ambient lighting, murals, and holiday décor to engaging community programming.
Murals
Curating a World-Class Outdoor Art Museum
In 2025, “Big Art. Bigger Dreams.” debuted three district-defining murals, curated by Street Art for Mankind with support from the DTLA Alliance and the City of Los Angeles. The inaugural series features works by LA-based artists Emily Ding, David Flores, and Shamsia Hassani, located at Figueroa Eight, the Los Angeles Athletic Club, and The Bloc, respectively. The initial murals are funded by The Coca-Cola Company, with a total of 12 murals planned for the Downtown Center in the lead-up to LA28.
Park Programming
Bringing DTLA Together
Downtown is home is 90,000+ residents, and our District’s green spaces play a vital role in the well-being of everyone in our community. To help foster vibrant and active green spaces, the DTLA Alliance supports a variety of programming, including DTLA Movie Nights with Street Food Cinema, our annual Halloween Festival for Kids, and Picnic with Santa in Grand Hope Park.
Lighting
Shining a Light on Public Safety
To enhance public safety and the nighttime experience, the DTLA Alliance has completed a series of lighting improvements across the Downtown Center. Highlights include illuminating 29 trees along 7th Street between Figueroa and Hill with vibrant, color-changing LED lights; installing café-style string lighting over Broadway from 2nd to 4th Streets; and adding ambient lighting along Angels Flight. These projects were made possible through support from Council District 14, private property partners, and grant funding.
Holiday Lights
Transforming DTLA into Fa-La-La-Land
Ushering in the organization’s first-ever holiday lights, the DTLA Alliance partnered with Grand Performances Inc. and Plaza Commons, Inc., to commission LA-based Liquid PXL for an artistic lighting display at The Yard at Cal Plaza in 2024. The inaugural installation featured 10 Electric Dandelions, Lumiverse light columns, and a dazzling custom-designed 25’ tree.
District Branding
Fostering a Sense of Place
To brand Downtown LA, the DTLA Alliance manages 105 street pole banners, 65 branded trash cans, 10 utility boxes, and 2 bus shelters featuring distinct DTLA branding. In addition, the organization partners with properties to provide branded window wraps for vacant street-level storefronts.
Grand Central Vision
Envisioning DTLA's Dining Room
In 2025, the DTLA Alliance begun conversations to reimagine the public realm around Grand Central Market, which welcomes 2+ million visitors annually. The area, currently home to several landmarks and visitor attractions, such as historic Broadway, Bradbury Building, Million Dollar Theater, Jonathan Gold Plaza, Biddy Mason Memorial Park, and Angels Flight, is prime for reinvestment and activation.
DTLA Re.Imagined
Reimagining DTLA's Public Realm
In 2021, the DTLA Alliance convened creative thinkers, designers, and architects to discover the untapped possibilities on the streets of DTLA and re-envision them in ways that promote community, inspiration, and well-being. Through big ideas and project initiatives, DTLA Re.Imagined is an opportunity to collectively visualize the next stage of our city’s evolution.