LOS ANGELES—The county Board of Supervisors agreed May 21 to spend as much as $200,000 to hire a consultant to analyze the anticipated economic impact and opportunities associated with hosting the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The board approved a motion directing the county CEO and Department of Economic Opportunity to hire a consultant within 60 days and have an analysis completed 90 days after that.
The motion noted the county-wide economic and social impact on infrastructure, transportation, and security that comes with an influx of visitors from around the globe, and asked for an assessment of the resources and planning needed to prepare the county for the games.
The action also directed the CEO to report back in 90 days on all potential impacts of the games on county services.
The Olympics have been designated as a “no-build” event, utilizing only existing sports and entertainment venues. But according to the motion introduced by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, that designation excluded transportation issues, noting that efforts are already under way for the completion of 28 transportation projects in time for the games in 2028.
“With car-free games in mind, we have to ensure our transportation systems [are] prepared for the increased demand,” Ms. Solis said, calling for a unified legislative effort to ensure state and federal transportation funding.
The assessment is expected to include community impact, opportunities for local and small businesses, revenue generation, types of jobs that will be created, anticipated cost to unincorporated areas and an evaluation of transit plans.
Ms. Mitchell called for a regional approach in preparing the report, working with county departments, private sector leaders and contract partners to safeguard “against the widely recognized threats of gentrification and displacement that comes with hosting the games.”
