IKEA in Culver City; Sixth Street Viaduct Lights Return

This article surveys recent urban development and transportation news across Southern California. It highlights new transit projects, housing policy challenges, public art, greenway expansions, and notable commercial moves.

From streetcar testing to the relighting of a landmark bridge, these items show how engineers, planners, and communities are shaping the region’s built environment.

OC Streetcar testing and a call for local artists

Testing has begun for the OC Streetcar. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is inviting local artists to contribute to the launch campaign.

Submissions are due by February 28. Selections will be announced on March 15.

This effort blends infrastructure with cultural expression. The goal is to give the streetcar a visual identity that resonates with the community.

Key dates and participation details

• Submit artwork by February 28
• Selections announced March 15
• Opportunity to shape the launch narrative of the OC Streetcar

Barriers to housing production in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, even when ordinances allow more units, slow departmental reviews and delays in utility connections create a labyrinth of red tape that slows housing production. This mismatch between policy and timelines adds to affordability challenges and limits housing supply for residents.

Implications for planners and developers

• Streamlined permitting processes could unlock units faster
• Coordination across utility providers is essential
• Policy reforms may be needed to align approvals with zoning changes

Transit modernization: the Sepulveda Corridor and an automated subway

Metro’s Modified Alternative 5 for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor proposes an automated subway running under Bel Air. The goal is to reduce car dependence and expand rapid transit options.

If completed, the project could reshape cross-city mobility. It may also influence land use patterns around its stations.

What’s changing for mobility

• Automated subway under Bel Air
• Potential reductions in car trips and congestion
• Strategic implications for adjacent neighborhoods and development

Art as commentary: Sayre Gomez’s Graffiti Towers

Sayre Gomez’s gallery show features miniaturized “Graffiti Towers” that examine waste and neglect tied to a billion-dollar development now in bankruptcy. The artist uses scale and material to reflect on the city’s growth cycles, project financing, and the social costs of speculative development.

Art’s role in urban critique

• Artworks engage with financial and architectural narratives
• Public-facing commentary on stalled or failed projects
• Connections between culture, memory, and the built environment

Greenways and active transportation in Baldwin Park

Baldwin Park opened a 2.3-mile greenway for walking and biking. There are plans to expand it to about five miles in the future.

The project creates more options for active transportation. It links residential areas with parks and local destinations.

What to expect as it expands

• Phase-based growth to five miles
• Improved non-motorized connectivity
• Potential economic and health benefits for residents

Relighting the Sixth Street Bridge: infrastructure and resilience

Los Angeles has engaged Tetra Tech to design plans to relight the Sixth Street Bridge. The project will restore electrical wiring for lighting on the roadway, barriers, ramps, stairways, and arches.

This effort focuses on maintaining aging infrastructure while improving safety and nighttime visibility.

Scope of the lighting project

• Comprehensive electrical relighting of bridge elements
• Safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
• Preservation of the bridge’s architectural features

Funding pressures: homelessness programs and city budgets

To comply with a major court settlement, LA may have to cut $181 million annually from homelessness programs unless it uses the general fund. This budget tension shows the challenge cities face in meeting court obligations while sustaining social services and housing initiatives.

Fiscal considerations for the year ahead

• Balance court requirements with available funds
• Explore diversified funding sources beyond the general fund
• Assess long-term implications for homelessness services

Commercial development and site changes

A large Culver City site will soon host an IKEA occupying about 40,000 square feet of the former HD Buttercup lot in the Helms complex. This development signals ongoing retail and experiential growth in the area.

Retail strategies and implications

• Smaller-format IKEA footprint in a dense urban area
• Impact on local employment and pedestrian activity

Pasadena’s Caltrans homes and affordable housing funding

Pasadena sold 13 former Caltrans homes for over $19.6 million. The city netted about $18.47 million to fund affordable housing development.

This transaction shows how municipalities can use surplus properties to support housing initiatives and address affordability gaps.

Strategic use of surplus properties

• Reinvesting sale proceeds into housing projects
• Potential models for other cities to follow

Expo Park timing and Public Storage moves

Expo Park’s planned six-acre makeover has faced delays and will not break ground until 2028. This means it will miss the Olympic timeline.

In a broader relocation trend, Public Storage has moved its headquarters from California to North Texas. The company secured 119,000 square feet at Hall Park amid a CEO transition.

What this means for the region

• Delays affect Olympic-related precincts and urban renewal calendars.
• Corporate relocation patterns influence regional job markets and land use.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Ikea coming to Culver City, Sixth Street Viaduct getting its lights back, and more