Despite a difficult past year, Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) has illustrated its resilience. It continues to be the place where over 80,000 residents can live near work, transit and world class opportunities -- but it is more important than ever that this vibrant urban experience is supported. The U.S. Census Bureau recently released 2020 population data that will inform the redrawing of electoral district boundaries -- from U.S. Congress to local school boards -- through a process called redistricting that happens every 10 years. The City of Los Angeles' redistricting process will determine new City Council District (CD) boundaries that will directly impact DTLA's elected official representation, which will have meaningful consequences for its recovery and future.

Redistricting helps ensure equal portions of the City's population have equal and fair political representation and community preservation. The City's process is led by a Redistricting Commission of 21 members who advise the City Council in redrawing the boundaries. Redistricting is especially critical now as we weather the impacts of the pandemic and as the 2022 election approaches. This redistricting cycle is an opportunity to solidify DTLA's growth and recovery by ensuring DTLA is classified as a community of interest united in one council district. This structure can facilitate leadership by an accountable elected official responsible for partnering with DTLA stakeholders to create and implement tailored policies and solutions to our most pressing challenges.

DTLA is a community of interest that should be kept intact.
DTLA's growing residential population, strong connection to transit and high concentration of jobs make it a uniquely urban community that is different from other neighborhoods in the city. Currently, DTLA is not unified in one council district. While it is primarily in CD 14, Chinatown is in CD 1 and the Convention Center, STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE are in CD 9. A guiding principle of the redistricting process is preserving communities of interest, which are defined as identifiable, shared interests held within one geographic area. DTLA should be classified as such, as it is distinct for its:

• Growing residential population: Home to approximately 80,000 residents and is expected to grow to over 200,000 by 2040.
• Rich mobility options: As the region's transit hub, 40 percent of all Metro Rapid Bus Lines serve DTLA in addition to many fixed rail stations.
• Historical assets: A historic community home to 190 historic cultural monuments, and four designated historic districts including Little Tokyo, Theater District, Chinatown and Olvera Street.
• Center for economic activity: DTLA represents one percent of the city's land but 18 percent of its jobs.
• Cultural assets: Home to cultural landmarks such as The Broad, The Music Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Japanese American National Museum.

People move to Downtown to live an urban lifestyle that provides mobility, livability and world-renowned cultural institutions, museums, sports stadiums and restaurants. We know that splitting the heart of our city into several CDs would make it more difficult for DTLA residents to vote as a bloc and thus disempower DTLA voters.

DTLA needs accountable political representation to help ensure a holistic vision and spur recovery.
Downtown residents should be able to elect one council representative that understands DTLA's unique challenges and advocates for solutions to make it a welcoming place to live, work and visit. At the same time, DTLA is home to the largest unsheltered homeless population in the country and struggling businesses who continue to grapple with the impacts of the pandemic. These complex challenges call for a holistic vision that is developed in partnership with DTLA stakeholders to support recovery.

We continue to engage in the redistricting process and advocate for a united city center. The LA City Council Redistricting Commission recently held a virtual public meeting for CD 14 to provide community input. At this meeting, there was a strong turnout of Downtown stakeholders who advised the Commission to consider DTLA as a united community of interest that should be represented by one councilmember.

Our diverse urban center must be treated like the dynamic community that it is, and our neighborhoods must remain cohesive to help create a more resilient and dynamic future. Want to get involved? You can submit comments to the Redistricting Commission here and draw and recommend new council district boundaries here.