Fighting to reach full economic recovery post-pandemic, urban centers across the nation are reimagining themselves. In Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA), higher education is emerging as an energizing sector helping to revitalize the city’s core.
As a nexus of arts and culture, sports and entertainment, culinary experiences, transit infrastructure and booming residential market, DTLA is a place where students can thrive. UCLA, ASU, USC and Cal State LA are reaping the benefits of these unbeatable built-in amenities, while growing enrollment, fostering strategic partnerships and broadening access to students. In turn, they’re giving back to the city center the following benefits:
Reactivating Existing Downtown Buildings
UCLA recently announced its expansion back into DTLA with the acquisition of the landmark Trust Building on Spring Street. Ranked the number one public university in the nation and fourth largest employer in LA County, UCLA’s repurposing of a historic building is the perfect example of the synchronicity that exists within this set up. UCLA students will add to downtown’s foot traffic and economic activity while enjoying the expanded transit options emerging downtown. With the Purple Line’s planned extension connecting Pershing Square to Westwood, UCLA will ensure students are deeply connected to its name-sake city and one of the region’s key job centers.
Preparing Downtown’s Future Workforce in a Dynamic, Real-world Setting
There’s a tremendous opportunity to prepare the future’s workforce in the “backyard” of the companies that conduct business downtown. The proximity allows for universities to be in tune with existing employment gaps and proactively tailor their programs to ensure graduates meet employer needs. In 2016, Cal State LA opened its Downtown campus precisely to “work closely with local area businesses, government agencies, and non-profits to build relevant and timely programs to meet the challenges facing our great city.”[1] Additionally, the capacity for universities to establish corporate partnerships in the city’s center is a massive benefit. ASU, now operating DTLA campus out of the Herald Examiner Building and ASU FIDM, is renowned for its socially minded, corporate partnerships that provide enriching opportunities for students and DTLA by extension.
Universities Harness the Power of Research to Solve Public Challenges that are Often Most Acute Downtown
USC is the oldest research institution in California with a long history of impactful community partnership. The Keck School of Medicine, located just outside the northeast corner of DTLA, recently launched USC Street Medicine, a collaboration of interdisciplinary healthcare professionals that provides direct services to unsheltered Angelenos. Directed by Brett Feldman, MSPAS, PA-C – an internationally recognized expert on street medicine – the program includes research aimed at improving care and developing street medicine as an alternative care delivery model where needed. Given that DTLA is home to the largest population of people experiencing homelessness, innovative solutions are badly needed, especially from researchers and experts of USC’s caliber. Since 2015, USC has been the anchor tenant of the AT&T Center recognizing the importance for the academic to coexist in the vicinity of its practical application.
The benefits speak for themselves. Higher education institutions are a key tool for revitalizing downtowns. In San Francisco, Mayor Breed asked the University of California to open a downtown campus to bring more jobs and support local businesses.[2] We’re already seeing that in Los Angeles and there is more opportunity to expand. The recently adopted Downtown Community Plan estimates that 70,000 new housing units will be built by 2040, increasing the capacity for people to learn, work, live and play in DTLA. By forging these long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships we can increase the dynamism and promise of our city center while helping students and universities thrive.
[1] https://www.calstatela.edu/dtla/cal-state-la-open-downtown-los-angeles-campus
[2] https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/breed-university-of-california-downtown-sf-campus-18208767.php