LA Koreatown to undergo major facelift ahead of 2028 Olympics

As the 2028 Summer Games approach, LA Koreatown Olympics preparations are accelerating a sweeping facelift aimed at attracting visitors during the global event. City officials and community leaders say the neighborhood is leveraging its central location and dense dining and nightlife scene to position itself as a must-visit destination.

Koreatown Gateway Project Advances

The most visible change will be the long-planned “Koreatown (Olympic) Gateway.” Construction is expected to begin within the year. The project, first proposed in 2008 by the Korean American community, will break ground 18 years later.

The structure will rise at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue. It will feature two 50-foot pillars connected by cables and illuminated with LED lighting.

Steve Kang, president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, said all building permits have been secured. The project is now undergoing final administrative procedures before construction begins.

He noted that steel price increases tied to tariffs have pushed the total cost to about $6 million. However, $3.63 million has already been secured. The remaining funds, he said, will be raised through the City Council and other sources to keep the project on schedule.

Creating a More Walkable Koreatown

City officials are also moving to improve pedestrian conditions, which residents have long described as inadequate.

Last month, the Los Angeles Board of Public Works selected Geronimo Concrete as the final contractor for the pedestrian improvement project. Construction will focus on sidewalks surrounding Daouljeong, near the northeast corner of Olympic Boulevard and Normandie Avenue, where the gateway will stand.

Once completed, the upgrades will add benches and strengthen lighting to enhance rest areas and nighttime safety. In addition, decorative elements reflecting Korean cultural identity will be installed. The city said this initial segment could serve as a model for broader improvements across Koreatown.

Officials emphasized that expanded seating and improved lighting are central goals. They added that culturally appropriate design features will help express the identity of the Korean American community within the urban landscape.

MacArthur Park Ecological Restoration

Meanwhile, nearby MacArthur Park will undergo a major ecological restoration through a stormwater capture project. The plan calls for collecting and purifying runoff from a roughly 200-acre drainage basin and reusing it to replenish the park’s lake. Officials say the project aims to reduce water pollution and restore the ecosystem.

Construction will take place in the southern section of the park and along Seventh Street, Lake Street and Grand View Street. The Seventh Street pedestrian walkway and access ramp will be temporarily removed and later reinstalled. In addition, a new pedestrian-only bridge will be built along the park’s southern edge.

The construction period is expected to last about two and a half years. Therefore, some observers question whether the project will be completed before the Olympics. However, once finished, the improvements are expected to significantly enhance the western gateway to Koreatown.

Urban planning experts say these upgrades could reshape Koreatown from a residential and commercial hub into a broader civic destination. As preparations for the LA Koreatown Olympics continue, officials hope the neighborhood will emerge as one of the city’s signature gathering points for both residents and visitors.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM   [kim.kyeongjun@koreadaily.com]