Hollywood has been hearing a steady knock at its storefronts this week, as CicLAvia staffers fan out with posters and face-to-face pitches for their next open-streets takeover on Sunday, July 19. The event, billed as Meet the Hollywoods, is scheduled from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will close a 6.6-mile stretch from Santa Monica Boulevard through Hollywood Boulevard to Hillhurst. Organizers say the day will be free and open to anyone who wants to walk, bike, skate or just watch.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the CicLAvia outreach team has been going door-to-door to spread the word and to ask businesses to "activate" their sidewalks for the expected crowds. CicLAvia Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Gigi Martinez told ABC7 Los Angeles, "We open up the streets up to pedestrians, cyclists, skaters, walkers and runners and we close them completely off to cars." Martinez also emphasized that "there is no participation fee, no registration" for the event.
Route, closures and logistics
According to CicLAvia, the route will be closed to vehicles from about 7 a.m. until roughly 6 p.m., with public programming and car-free hours set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Listed closures include Santa Monica Boulevard from San Vicente to Highland, Highland from Santa Monica to Hollywood Boulevard, and Hollywood Boulevard from N. Orange to Virgil/Hillhurst. The group also warns that some freeway off-ramp and bus detours will be in effect.
CicLAvia notes that residents and businesses on the route can request a small parking reimbursement and are urged to plan ahead for blocked driveways during setup and teardown hours.
Business activation and the funding squeeze
Organizers say the outreach blitz is designed to steer foot traffic toward independent businesses and to nudge shops and restaurants to offer pop-ups and specials that take advantage of the "tens of thousands" of participants Martinez told ABC7 Los Angeles to expect. ABC7 Los Angeles also noted that CicLAvia has fewer confirmed events this year because of funding constraints.
A City of Los Angeles transportation memo lists Metro as the funding partner for Meet the Hollywoods and shows LADOT coordinating the city's permit and street-closure role; the document is posted by the City of Los Angeles.
Leimert Park turnout shows the pull
The Hollywood push follows a busy CicLAvia in South L.A. on June 28 that drew thousands along a 3.6-mile Leimert Park–Exposition Park route, local coverage shows. MyNewsLA and Streetsblog L.A. reported on hubs offering free water, bike repair and community programming that organizers say are the backbone of these open-streets days.
Anyone who wants to take part as a volunteer, or to be listed as a business special on CicLAvia's digital map, can find sign-ups and resources on the organization's volunteer page. CicLAvia is asking businesses and volunteers to register by mid-July so hubs and staffing can be finalized, and reminds attendees that there is no registration required to join the route.
