Carol Schatz, President and CEO of the Central City Association (CCA) of Los Angeles, discusses Downtown LA's reemergence as one of the hot development and rental markets in Southern California, reflecting a national trend as the economy recovers.
Carol Schatz is President and CEO of both the Downtown Center Business Improvement District (DCBID) and the Central City Association (CCA) of Los Angeles. She has had a crucial hand in the decades-long revitalization of Downtown LA, including initiating the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance that led to the conversion of industrial spaces into lofts and live-work spaces. The Planning Report spoke to Schatz with questions about the state of the Downtown housing market; the key neighborhoods, players, and aims of continuing development; and Downtown LA's future as a self-sufficient, 24-hour community.
The tight rental market in Downtown Los Angeles has prompted a wave of new residential developments across the neighborhood. As Schatz notes, "when you're talking about a 98 percent occupancy rate with the rents that I just gave you, that obviously is enticing to developers who see a growing market." The development trend further illustrates the growing interest in downtown living, as people choose transit-oriented, 24-hour amenities over extra space.
Thanks to Kevin Madden
FULL STORY: CCA’s Carol Schatz On LA’s Downtown Development Boom
Los Angeles Union Station Plan Creates Multimodal Access to Downtown L.A.
When it comes to trains, trams, and buses, L.A.'s Union Station is "the most transit-accessible location in Southern California." Soon, it will finally connect to its own neighborhood.
New Community Plan Poises Downtown L.A. for Transformation
In addition to a contemporary vision for Downtown, the plan debuts a new approach to zoning that could help transform the entire city.
L.A. Metro CEO Challenges Trump on Infrastructure Funding
President Trump’s most recent transportation budget is projected to cut transportation spending by 13 percent, potentially undercutting many of Los Angeles' ambitious projects to continue the build-out of a full public transportation system.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009
Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie