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This week marked a major milestone for transportation in Los Angeles as Metro officially opened three new D Line subway stations in Council District 5: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega. These are the only new subway stations opening anywhere in the United States this year, with four additional stations expected to open next year. After years of planning and construction, this expansion begins a new chapter for how people move through our city.
For Fifth District residents, these stations create faster and more reliable access to Downtown Los Angeles, regional transit connections, jobs, cultural institutions, and destinations across the Wilshire Corridor. The D Line Extension also moves us closer to a more connected Westside, with future phases extending service to Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, UCLA, and the VA Campus. As Los Angeles prepares to host global events like the World Cup and Olympics, investments like this will shape how people experience our city for decades to come.
One of the true measures of success for the D Line Extension is whether these stations feel connected to the communities around them. They should feel active, welcoming, and safe. That is why, in my role as a Metro Board Director, I have been working with Supervisor Holly Mitchell and Metro leadership on a new station activation pilot program focused on bringing more life into these public spaces.
Starting this weekend, the new stations will host daily coffee carts, weekly farmers markets, salsa classes before LACMA Latin Nights, pickleball activations, monthly markets featuring businesses from Little Ethiopia, and programming from local small businesses and community groups. The idea behind station activations is simple: when stations are active, they create passive safety and become assets to the surrounding community. I am excited to see these stations begin serving as gathering places for nearby neighborhoods while supporting local businesses, artists, and community organizations.
All my best,
Katy |
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LAFD Station 37 Pancake Breakfast
Over the weekend, my team and I attended Fire Station 37’s 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast in Westwood. It was great to see so many neighbors come out to meet local firefighters and first responders and spend time together as a community. Thank you to Station 37 for hosting another successful event and to everyone who stopped by to support our firefighters. |
Coffee with Katy - Westwood Village
On Saturday, my team and I hosted another Coffee with Katy at Ministry of Coffee in Westwood Village. These meetings are a new way for my office and me to connect with neighbors, have real conversations, and hear directly about what is happening in the community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with us and support a local small business. I’m looking forward to the next Coffee with Katy in Palms next weekend! |
Closing Down Oil Wells
This week marked another step toward shutting down the West Pico Oil Site! On Friday, Pacific Coast Energy Company began work to permanently close one of the wells through a process known as plugging and abandonment, which seals the well and removes it from service. Work started on May 8 and will continue for approximately two weeks. Neighbors may notice additional truck activity and equipment on site during this period.
Last year, my office announced that Pacific Coast Energy Company would voluntarily stop oil drilling operations at the site, which currently contains 57 wells. Moving away from oil drilling near homes, schools, and other sensitive areas remains one of my top priorities. This work moves Los Angeles closer to a healthier and safer future for surrounding communities. |
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Charter Reform
This week, the Council’s Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee continued reviewing recommendations from the Charter Reform Commission related to the City Attorney, City Controller, Planning, Neighborhood Councils, and Government Operations. The last major update to the City Charter took place in 1999, and this process gives the City an opportunity to take a serious look at how local government functions.
During the discussion, I focused on an important question: which provisions belong in the City Charter, and which ones belong in the administrative or municipal code instead? The Charter should establish the structure and core responsibilities of government, while the code should allow the City more flexibility to adapt and improve operations over time. The Committee will continue reviewing additional recommendations in the coming weeks before the Council decides whether to place reforms before voters in November.
Limiting Pretextual Stops
This week, the City Council voted to advance an effort focused on limiting pretextual stops, a policing practice in which officers use minor traffic or equipment violations to initiate broader investigations. These stops have historically discriminated against people of color, often leading to unnecessary interactions with police and contributing to concerns about unequal enforcement.
Public safety and community trust both matter, and cities across the country continue working through how to balance those responsibilities. This proposal is part of the City’s broader discussions around police reform, accountability, and reducing unnecessary encounters between residents and law enforcement.
Paula Daniels Appointment to the Metropolitan Water District
This week, the City Council appointed Paula Daniels to serve on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the agency responsible for delivering water to nearly 19 million people across the region. Paula has spent decades leading on sustainability, environmental policy, and urban resource management, and she brings deep experience to this role. |
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K-Expo USA at City Hall
On Friday, my team and I partnered with Councilmember John Lee and Commissioner Steve Kang to welcome South Korean officials to City Hall for the launch of K-Expo USA. K-Expo is an opportunity to strengthen cultural and economic partnerships between Los Angeles and South Korea. Los Angeles has one of the largest Korean communities outside of Korea, and these relationships create opportunities for local businesses, tourism, and cultural exchange.
K-EXPO USA celebrates Korean style, culture, food, and music. It is free to the public and opens on Memorial Day weekend at LA Live. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, interactive experiences, vendors, and programming on May 23 and 24, followed by a K-POP concert on Sunday evening at the Peacock Theater. On May 26 and 27, US businesses can connect with leading Korean companies at Business Matching sessions. For more information on all events, visit K-EXPO Online. |
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Wilshire Boulevard & San Diego Way
This week, our office partnered with the Mayor’s Office on an Inside Safe operation at Wilshire Boulevard and San Diego Way. As part of the operation, three unhoused individuals were transported to housing placements and will continue receiving supportive services through the Inside Safe program as they work toward permanent housing.
Our office has also been working closely with property management associated with vacant buildings in the area to address ongoing concerns and support long-term stabilization efforts. Outreach teams will continue monitoring the location to help prevent re-encampment. Following the Inside Safe operation, LASAN CARE+ teams also conducted cleanups at additional locations throughout the district. |
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If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
District Office
5416 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 866-1828
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Katy Yaroslavsky, Councilwoman 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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