Meeting_Body
REVISED
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: OPEN AND SLOW STREETS GRANT PROGRAM CYCLES SIX AND SEVEN
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER
A. AWARDING $10 million to the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycles Six and Seven to fund 29 events scheduled either during the 2026 FIFA World Cup or 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Attachment A); and
B. AUTHORIZING a waiting list of eligible events that may be awarded administratively, should funding become available from Cycles Six and Seven (Attachment A).
HORVATH AMENDMENT: To direct the Chief Executive Officer to report back to the Board in March 2026 with recommendations and analysis to:
A. Make Metro’s Open and Slow Streets pilot program permanent, including soliciting input from community stakeholders, previous event organizers, and partnering agencies to identify recommendations to transition the Metro Open and Slow Streets Program from a pilot to a permanent program;
B. Initiate an abbreviated Open and Slow Streets Grant Cycle and identify a minimum of $1 million to support waitlisted and/or new events that celebrate the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games that will occur between September 2026 and March 2028; and
C. Offer technical assistance, including but not limited to the identification of alternative sources of funding and partnering on external grant applications, to support agencies and organizations that were waitlisted or ineligible for funding in the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycles Six and Seven.
Issue
ISSUE
The primary goal of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program is to promote walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. By doing so, the Program aims to encourage the development of multimodal policies and infrastructure at the local and community level. A local match is required.
Staff have completed evaluation and scoring of applications submitted for funding under the Board-approved Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycles Six and Seven. These cycles combine two rounds of Open and Slow Streets funding for a total of $10 million in to support Open and Slow Streets events occurring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup (World Cup) and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Games).
Background
BACKGROUND
Open streets events are designed to close streets to vehicular traffic, encouraging residents and visitors to use transit and active transportation. Slow streets, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, feature installations designed to reduce local traffic volume and significantly lower speeds on roadways, allowing people to walk, bike, and play safely in the streets.
In September 2013, the Metro Board established the Open Streets Competitive Grant Program framework in response to Motion 72 by Directors Villaraigosa, Molina, Najarian, and Wilson (Attachment B). Metro has since funded five cycles of Open and Slow Streets as well as a smaller “mini” cycle in 2019 (awarding just over $1 million), as indicated in the table below . The grant program has sponsored 84 events, spanning 328 miles of open and slow streets activities across 39 different jurisdictions.
Additional Board actions related to the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program include:
• Motion 40 (May 2020), by Directors Hahn, Solis, Garcetti, Sandoval, and Dutra adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to incorporate and allow funding for slow streets concepts such as extended and smaller neighborhood scale events (Attachment C).
• Along with releasing Cycle Four <https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2020-0224/> (June 2021), the Board authorized staff to administratively release unchanged Open Streets and Slow Streets applications and guidelines packages in future cycles.
• Motion 9.1 (December 2021) by Directors Hahn, Solis, Garcetti, Sandoval, and Dutra adding an extra $2 million in grant funding (Attachment D).
• Motion 9 (September 2022), by Director Solis and Garcetti as amended by Butts and Najarian, which instructs Metro staff to initiate a special grant program dedicated to transforming our streets and transportation facilities into temporary hubs of art, culture, and recreation to engage local communities in the spirit of the Games (Attachment E).
The Open and Slow Streets Cycles Six and Seven were combined to address the Board directive to maximize opportunities for the World Cup and the Games. As a result, $10 million was identified for a competitive Open and Slow Streets grant opportunity to support the goals of the program while promoting the spirit of the World Cup and the Games (collectively referred to as the Major Events). Following a 10-day review period, the combined Open and Slow Streets Guidelines and Application for Cycles Six and Seven (Attachment F) were released on August 25, 2025.
Engagement
Staff worked to ensure meaningful engagement with local jurisdictions and community stakeholders to help shape the guidelines prior to finalization, maximize program participation, and encourage applicants to learn from each other and develop transformative ideas. Staff conducted the following engagement in advance of the release of the guidelines and application:
§ Facilitated a virtual meeting on May 21, 2025, with interested jurisdictions and community stakeholders to gather feedback on critical questions related to the development of Open and Slow Streets guidelines. Approximately 140 participants representing cities across the county and several community-based organizations attended the meeting.
§ Held nine key stakeholder meetings with various jurisdictional representatives as directed in Board Motion 9 (September 2022), including county and city agencies (large and small), councils of governments (COG), and community stakeholders to further refine the Open and Slow Streets guidelines for Major Events.
§ Conducted a survey for potential applicants, partners, and community stakeholders to gather additional comments and gain a better understanding of the status of Open and Slow Streets planning for the upcoming Major Events.
Key themes that emerged from the jurisdictions and community stakeholders' engagement efforts and approaches to addressing them are summarized below:
§ Escalating costs - Costs to host an open and slow street event have risen significantly, such as insurance expenses. Finding funding to cover these increasing costs has also become more challenging. As a result, the guidelines were modified to eliminate a funding cap on open streets events unless the proposal included multi-day events, created a sustainable transportation legacy, or connected multiple communities, transportation, and Major Event venues.
§ Considering non-profits and community-based organizations (CBOs) - Metro considered allowing non-profits and community-based organizations (CBOs) to apply alongside jurisdictional applications. However, some jurisdictions and CBOs expressed concerns about this approach, citing that jurisdictions play a critical role in organizing events, including right-of-way permitting, traffic control planning, and confirming leadership commitment to support successful events.
§ Event Eligibility - Stakeholders urged Metro to fund proposals in 2026, 2027, and 2028 to provide multiple opportunities for practice before the Games and to host events annually to keep the program active. Although Metro staff considered this request, limited funding, the need to increase funds per event to cover rising costs, the desire to hold events across the county, and the fact that Metro was the only funder, limited Metro's ability to consider applications outside of the Major Events in 2026 and 2028. Including both years helps jurisdictions plan ahead for 2028 using 2026. Metro has also supported jurisdictions by identifying funding sources, such as Transportation Development Act Article 3 and Local Return funds, that allow them to host events in other years.
Staff continued to conduct engagement following the release of the Guidelines and Application on August 25, 2025, until the October 10, 2025, deadline, including:
§ Presented at the Games Regional Transportation Summit held September 4-5, 2025, which included transportation and public works staff from jurisdictions across LA County.
§ Facilitated an in-person meeting on September 8, 2025, at the Metro Headquarters building. Attendees included representatives of municipalities, COGs, community-based organizations, and nonprofits.
§ Held a two-hour virtual question and answer session on September 22, 2025, to provide additional support and address further questions for potential applicants and partners.
§ Responded to 32 of questions and comments emailed to OpenStreets@metro.net <mailto:OpenStreets@metro.net> and developed a comprehensive frequently asked questions document, which was published on the Metro Open Streets webpage <https://www.metro.net/about/metro-open-streets-grant-program/>.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Jurisdictions in Los Angeles County have demonstrated an unprecedented demand for transportation funding to support the upcoming Major Events. The Games alone are expected to attract 10-15 million ticket holders and over 10,000 athletes, who will need safe and welcoming transportation access to event venues and celebrations. The Open and Slow Streets Grant Program can support a transit-first strategy by providing dedicated space for walking, rolling, and biking. Additionally, the grant program is designed to favor proposals that create a legacy from which Angelenos can benefit for years to come.
Program Goals
Due to the adjustments in the Program, program goals were revised to align with Board Motion 9 (September 2022) and the upcoming Major Events, and to ensure the program results in legacy impacts. The goals for Cycles Six and Seven are as follows:
§ Increase walking, biking, transit, and promote mode shift.
§ Bring the spirit of the World Cup and Games to communities across Los Angeles County.
§ Improve access to safe, accessible streets, especially in Equity Focus Communities (EFC).
§ Support access to venues, arts, culture, and recreation sites by non-automobile modes.
§ Produce cost effective events and/or repeat multi-day events.
Program Criteria and Guidelines
The Guidelines and Application for Cycles Six and Seven included the following changes from the previous cycle:
§ Events must celebrate the World Cup or the Games.
§ Events must integrate arts, culture, or recreation.
§ Community-based organizations may apply as co-applicants.
§ Small neighborhood events (less than one mile in length) are a new category and may receive up to $250,000 in funding.
§ Large events (more than one mile in length) have no funding cap; however, Metro does not anticipate awarding numerous grants above $500,000 and only in cases where the proposed project demonstrates extraordinary impact.
§ Permanent and semi-permanent materials may be eligible for funding if they meet the intent of the guidelines.
§ An emphasis on events that demonstrate a lasting transportation legacy.
§ Local match increased to 30%.
Cycles Six and Seven Funding Availability
Through the adopted annual budget, $2.5 million is allocated annually for the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program. Therefore, $5 million is available for each two-year cycle. For Open and Slow Streets Cycles 6 and 7, Metro is combining two rounds for a total of $10 million in competitive funds.
Applications Received and Evaluation Panel
A total of 49 applications requesting approximately $18.5 million were received for Cycles Six and Seven by the application deadline of 11:59 pm on October 10, 2025. Of these applications:
• 41 or 83% were from Metro-defined EFCs;
• 8 or 16% were new applicants;
• 22 or 45% were submitted to coincide with the World Cup;
• 26 or 51% were submitted to coincide with the Games; and
• 4 or 8% were deemed ineligible due to an ineligible applicant or an ineligible event date.
An evaluation panel comprised of staff from Metro Operations, Office of Equity and Race, Office of Strategic Innovation, Countywide Planning and Development, and Metro Art, assessed and scored the applications based on adherence to the published guidelines. Funding eligibility for Cycles Six and Seven is explicitly for events occurring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Based on this scoring, staff recommend 21 applications be fully funded with the requested amounts for a total of $ 6,373,331(64% of total funding available), while eight applications are recommended for partial funding for a total of $ 3,626,669 (36% of total funding available) as shown in Attachment A. Partial awards, in seven cases, are recommended for projects requesting more than $500,000 that were not considered “extraordinary” by the evaluation panel, as indicated in the program Guidelines. The additional partial award is for the lowest scoring recommended project to receive the balance of available funds.
Several applicants indicated preferred event timing that is not specifically during of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, or 2028 Olympic or Paralympic Games, as required in the Guidelines. Such projects are deemed eligible only in cases where the application also indicates ability to adjust dates to conform to program requirements. All awarded projects must confirm eligible event dates in order to execute funding agreements.
The staff recommendation includes an action to establish all eligible non-awarded projects as a waiting list to be awarded administratively in the event that funding becomes available if, for example, an awarded project does not proceed.
Impact of the Award Recommendation
In addition to providing broad-based opportunities for community gathering and celebration during the Major Events, the recommended awards will result in an impactful slate of projects. The 29 (13 for World Cup and 16 for the Games) recommended projects include funding for 12 distinct jurisdictions, 6 first-time awardees, and 25 project locations in EFCs. In aggregate, and subject to refinement, the program will deliver nearly 65 total miles of open streets (fully closed off to vehicle traffic) and approximately 3.5 total miles of slow streets with limited vehicle access and space prioritized for people on foot and bike. Based on evaluation of prior cycles, staff expects that the program will increase transit ridership by 10% on event days. Studies of open streets events generally indicate reductions in criteria pollutants and GHG emissions on event days.
Cycle Six and Seven Reporting and Evaluation
As in previous cycles, jurisdictions awarded funding in Cycles Six and Seven will receive standardized data collection templates to evaluate the success of their events. These templates have been used since Cycle One to measure and assess the program’s outcomes. Evaluations cover various topics, including attendance, public transportation access, impact on transportation, and effects on local businesses. Evaluation is primarily intended to measure how events affect nearby communities and help municipalities promote the use of sustainable transportation modes.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Open Streets Cycle Five Program will not have a direct safety impact on Metro or its employees as the events are held outside Metro-owned property. The intent of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program is to provide safe and accessible streets, especially in EFCs, for people to walk, bike, and roll on event days, as well as to promote permanent infrastructure change to increase safety for active transportation users.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for the first year of the combined Open and Slow Streets Cycles Six and Seven is included in the FY25-26 budget in cost center 0441, under project number 410077, Open Streets Grant Program. Since this is a multi-year program, the cost center manager will be responsible for budgeting for these events in future years.
Impact to Budget
Local funding from Proposition C will be used for the Cycle Six and Seven events. These funds are not eligible for bus and rail operating and capital expenses. Proposition C includes 25% of funds eligible for transportation system/demand management (TSM/TDM) programs such as open streets events. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) identifies open streets events as TSM/TDM strategies in their 2024 Regional Transportation Plan Congestion Management Toolbox - Motor Vehicle Restriction Zones.
If other eligible funding sources become available, they can be used instead of the designated funds. Furthermore, if any funds awarded from Cycle Five are not used for events in that cycle, these funds can be carried over to a future cycle.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Cycles Six and Seven of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program aim to give residents of Los Angeles County, especially those in EFCs, the opportunity to walk, bike, or roll through their neighborhoods. Of the 29 proposed projects recommended for funding, 25 or 86% are located in EFCs. By hosting Open Streets events in EFCs, community members from disadvantaged areas will also have the chance to enjoy car-free activities. Grantees and their production teams will collaborate closely with Metro Operations and Communications staff, as well as local bus providers, to ensure transit services are minimally affected and that communities benefiting from and potentially impacted by the events are engaged.
Within the application, applicants were required to explain how their event would reach marginalized communities through their route proposal, outreach, programming, and other considerations. Additionally, applicants were encouraged to focus on Metro-designated EFCs while also addressing the diverse needs of communities. During this cycle, applicants were encouraged to partner with CBOs or non-profits; if they couldn’t, they were advised to describe how they would reach the community.
All grantees must distribute surveys to event participants and nearby businesses using a data collection template developed for Open and Slow Street events. The goal of the surveys is to gather information about the benefits and impacts of Open Streets events on the community, including details such as participants' gender, age, and zip codes. All surveys will be supported by Metro translation services and other accessibility options to help participants with limited English skills and disabilities. From these surveys, we have learned that Metro rail ridership increases by up to 10% on Open Streets event days. Additionally, one in three attendees is participating for the first time.
Additionally, awarding points to candidates who organize their events in EFCs enables Metro to engage with these events and focus on sharing important information with individuals who have fewer transportation options. This includes providing detailed transportation and service options, as well as updates on newly launched programs and initiatives.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item will contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through investment activities that will help further encourage transit ridership and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
This grant program encourages and promotes using transit and active transportation. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item directly encourages transit and active transportation, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Cycles Six and Seven of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program support the third goal of Metro’s strategic plan. The program seeks to promote car-free and car-light mobility options within local communities, giving them opportunities to experience these transportation modes in a safe environment. This helps Metro encourage sustainable transportation choices through open streets events. Additionally, these events enable Metro staff, through outreach activities such as staffing information booths at Open Streets events, to share the latest information and address any questions from the communities they serve.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to award Cycles Six and Seven of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program. However, this decision would not align with Metro's objectives of promoting sustainable modes of transportation in Los Angeles County. Furthermore, this would negatively impact Metro’s efforts to reach historically disadvantaged communities.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
With the Board’s approval, staff will work with selected grantees and formally execute the grant agreements between Metro and each chosen grantee.
Additionally, staff will implement the post-event data collection and evaluation process to assess the impact of these events.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Open and Slow Streets Cycle Six and Seven Evaluation Results and Recommendations
Attachment B - Motion 72 - Los Angeles County “Open Streets” Program
Attachment C - Motion 40 - Open Streets Program Response to COVID-19
Attachment D - Motion 9.1 - Open and Slow Streets Grant Program Cycle Four
Attachment E - Motion 9 - Uplifting Arts, Culture and Recreation
Attachment F - Open and Slow Streets Guidelines and Application Combined Cycles Six and Seven
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Adela Felix, Manager, Transportation Planning, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 547-4207
Jacob Lieb, Deputy Executive Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 547-4272
Frank Ching, Deputy Executive Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 922-3033
Avital Barnea, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 547-4317
Nicole Ferrara, Deputy Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 547-4322
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, Countywide Planning and Development, (213) 547-4274
