What Did It Take to Clean Up South L.A.? $600 Million and Cooperation

Los Angeles Council Districts Banded Together to Attend to the Region’s Needs From Sweeping Alleys to Creating Jobs

As a public works commissioner for the city of Los Angeles, I would always hear residents say, “We pay taxes, why aren’t our trees trimmed, streets cleaned, and sidewalks repaired on a regular basis?” The answer is simple: The needs of the city heavily outweigh its resources. In my mind this situation will never change. So what hope is there? My answer is a region-oriented service provision approach that is strategic and collaborative.

An interesting fact about city government is that, for the most part, all city departments (about 40) operate …