Gomez Introduces Bill to Revitalize Downtown LA
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Boyle Heights, Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Westlake) unveiled bipartisan Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act of 2025 legislation yesterday.
The bill incentivizes converting existing vacant and underutilized commercial properties into new housing. , Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH) and John Larson (D-CT) co-authored the bill. The co-authors of the bill
“The housing crisis is squeezing family budgets, while empty commercial and office buildings sit unused in downtowns and in suburban and rural communities,” said Gomez. “Our bipartisan bill converts these empty commercial buildings into homes families can afford—a smart way to fix both problems. We need a housing boom like we haven’t seen since World War II, so this legislation is a no-brainer. We’re helping people live where they work by filling vacant real estate and increasing our housing supply.”
The measure comes as nearly half of Americans say there isn’t enough affordable housing in their communities. According to Pew Research, the U.S. needs to build more than 4 million rental units by 2035 to meet the demand. Meanwhile, many office buildings sit empty. With about 30% of workdays now remote after the pandemic, the value of commercial real estate has dropped by an estimated $413 billion.
The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act would help turn empty buildings into homes. It offers a federal tax credit—modeled after the successful Historic Preservation Tax Credit—to support the conversion of old office and commercial buildings into housing.
The tax credit covers 20% of the cost to convert a qualified building. The bill requires that at least 20% of the new housing be reserved for working people for at least 30 years to ensure this helps people who need it most.
McLean Highlights Distracted Driving Awareness Month
City Councilwoman Marsha McLean (NP—Santa Clarita) yesterday penned an op-ed on the Santa Clarita City website promoting the city’s “Heads Up Program.”
“April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and should serve as a reminder of the importance of staying focused behind the wheel. Distracted driving is not just a minor inconvenience—it is a serious safety hazard. In 2024 alone, 73 percent of drivers were found at fault in collisions involving pedestrians in Santa Clarita, highlighting the need for greater awareness and responsibility on the road. Additionally, the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station issued more than 2,200 citations for cell phone use while driving, underscoring the widespread issue of distracted driving in our community,” McLean wrote.
While McLean emphasized that drivers must take responsibility by eliminating distractions such as cell phone use while driving and adjusting navigation devices before getting on the road, she also warned pedestrians and cyclists to remain vigilant.
“Our City has fantastic pedestrian-friendly options, but safety is a shared responsibility. Pedestrians should always try to make eye contact with drivers before using crosswalks or passing through driveways, and stay especially alert near busy intersections. Cyclists—including those on e-bikes—need to follow traffic laws, signal turns, and ride carefully to avoid dangerous situations,” she wrote.
For more safety tips and resources, please visit SantaClarita.gov/HeadsUp.
Richardson Lauds Long Beach Airport for Aviation Fuel Transition
Mayor Rex Richardson (D-Long Beach) today lauded the Long Beach Airport (LGB) for achieving a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to promote the transition from leaded to unleaded aviation fuel.
This was after the airport announced that aircraft operators had purchased more than 3,000 gallons of unleaded fuel through its Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environment (SAFE) program.
“Long Beach is proud to be at the forefront of the transition to unleaded aviation fuel,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This initiative is an important step towards a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.”
This milestone marks a steady progression in LGB’s commitment to supporting general aviation users in adopting environmentally safer fuel options. SAFE was launched in 2024 to encourage the use of unleaded fuel by offsetting the price difference compared to the more commonly used low-leaded fuel, encouraging more pilots and aircraft owners to make the switch. Unleaded fuel is available at LGB through Signature Aviation @ Aeroplex, a fixed-base operator and fuel provider.
Of the $200,000 the Long Beach City Council approved for this initiative, which draws from Airport funds, approximately $13,000 has been allocated to date based on the 3,359 gallons of subsidized fuel sold so far. The program, one of the first in the country, does not apply to commercial and business jets, which already use unleaded fuel.
Pasadena, Rose Bowl Stadium Ink Deal To Host LA28 Olympics Soccer Finals
Mayor Victor M. Gordo (D-Pasadena) announced yesterday that the City of Pasadena has signed an agreement with the organizers of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) to host Olympic soccer, including the semifinal and final matches for both men and women, at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
This will mark the third time that Pasadena will play a top role in the Olympic Games at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium.
“Pasadena is proud to be a Venue City supporting the Host City of Los Angeles for the 2028 Games and we look forward to welcoming the world to the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. We will ensure all visitors enjoy the best Games experience possible with all our City has to offer,” said Gordo.
The signed Agreement outlines the roles of the LA28 Organizing Committee and the City of Pasadena in bringing the 2028 Games to Pasadena. All venues and sport assignments are subject to final approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board. With this Agreement, a tiered framework will take shape over the course of three additional agreements to be negotiated between now and October 2027.
“The City of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium have a rich Olympic history, having hosted events for both the 1932 and 1984 Games,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “In 2028, the Rose Bowl will support its third Olympic Games, making history as only the second venue in the world with this distinction. LA28 is looking forward to working closely with Mayor Gordo and the City Council to cement its legacy within the Olympic Movement further.
The City of Pasadena hosted its first Games in 1932, when track cycling was held at the Rose Bowl Stadium. In 1984, the Rose Bowl hosted Olympic soccer, including the gold medal match between France and Brazil, played in front of 101,799 spectators.
