Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, alongside LA Strong Sports founded by former NBA player JJ Redick and his wife Chelsea, Charles and Jenna Jackson, and Kylee Kilgore, as well as the coalition known as Steadfast LA led by Rick Caruso, put forth plans today to rebuild the Palisades Recreation Center through a public-private partnership, reported by the Mayor's Office. The rec center, a vital hub previously ravaged by January's wildfires, is on track to regain its role as the community's heart in the Pacific Palisades and Westside.
Following the damages, Mayor Bass asserted LA's commitment to streamlining the path of restoration. "The City’s number one pledge has been to eliminate any and every obstacle in the way of rebuilding," Mayor Bass explained. As a vital part of this community, the rec center, library, and playground necessitated prompt attention, receiving priority for debris removal orchestrated by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Reflecting on their connection to the Pali Rec Center, the Redicks underscored the importance of the space to the fabric of the neighborhood. "We visited the Pali Rec Center the same day we decided to move to the Palisades. That visit showed us not only how important the park was as a physical space, but how the people and families who took advantage of it made up the beating heart of the community," JJ and Chelsea Redick shared in a statement.
Proponents Charles and Jenna Jackson, themselves Palisades residents, cited their personal experiences within the community when describing their motivation to support the initiative. "We’ve always felt strongly about taking action to create and support things that allow people to feel rooted and thrive in their communities," they expressed, looking forward to helping in the center's revival as a place for opportunity and growth for those in the neighborhood.
Rick Caruso emphasized Steadfast LA's role in fostering collaboration among the public, private, and community sectors to rebuild the affected Los Angeles areas. "By bringing the public sector, the private sector, and the community together to do this, we’re not only restoring an integral part of the Palisades, but we’re showing how we can effectively respond to this tragedy with the urgency that the moment demands," Caruso told the Mayor's Office.
