Los Angeles City Council District 1 Candidate Joseph Lucey – June 2026 Election

Overview, voter priorities, and a redevelopment vision for Northeast Los Angeles

Los Angeles City Council District 1 will elect its next councilmember in the 2026 municipal election. The district includes communities such as Highland Park, Mount Washington, Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Lincoln Heights, Westlake, Pico-Union, and Chinatown.

Voters are focused on issues including:

  • Public safety
  • Homelessness and housing affordability
  • Neighborhood revitalization
  • Small business support
  • Senior and youth services
  • Government accountability

A new vision

Northeast Los Angeles — especially Los Angeles District 1 — is long overdue for a comprehensive redevelopment strategy. While our neighborhoods are rich in culture, history, and community pride, residents are spending their money elsewhere. Angelenos shop and dine in Glendale, Pasadena, Culver City, Santa Monica, and even the Inland Empire because those cities offer what Los Angeles has failed to deliver:

  • Clean, attractive commercial corridors
  • Ample, free or low‑cost parking
  • Safe, well‑policed environments
  • Modern retail, dining, and entertainment options
  • Mixed‑use developments that bring life to the streets

Every time our residents leave the district to shop or dine, we lose millions in tax revenue — money that should be funding our parks, streets, youth programs, and public safety.

Why Los Angeles District 1 needs redevelopment now

1. Our business corridors are underbuilt and underperforming

Highland Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown, Pico‑Union, Westlake, and Echo Park have enormous potential but lack the modern infrastructure and investment needed to compete with surrounding cities.

2. We are missing thousands of housing units

Los Angeles District 1 could add thousands of apartments, condos, and senior-friendly homes along major corridors without displacing existing residents.

This would:

  • Lower rents
  • Create affordable homeownership opportunities
  • Help seniors downsize while staying in their community
  • Reduce overcrowding
  • Stabilize families at risk of falling into poverty

3. Other cities have already proven the model works

These cities didn’t get lucky — they planned, invested, and partnered with the private sector:

  • Glendale: Two major malls, thriving corridors, clean streets, strong police presence
  • Culver City: Fox Hills Mall, Westfield, booming commercial districts
  • Santa Monica: Santa Monica Place, walkable retail, tourism revenue
  • Pasadena: Old Town, Lake Ave, Colorado Blvd — all vibrant, safe, and economically strong
  • Ontario & Rancho Cucamonga: Mixed-use industrial, commercial, and residential developments that let people live near work

A redevelopment strategy that fits Los Angeles District 1

1. Mixed‑use development with corporate partners

Costco’s new model — stores with housing above — is exactly the kind of innovation Los Angeles District 1 should embrace. Other companies can do the same, bringing:

  • Hundreds of jobs
  • New retail options
  • New housing supply
  • Increased tax revenue

2. Low‑interest loans and public‑private partnerships

Los Angeles can leverage:

  • Federal low‑interest loan programs
  • State housing incentives
  • Corporate investment
  • Community land trusts
  • Redevelopment-style financing tools

This reduces the burden on taxpayers while accelerating construction.

3. Clean, safe, modern corridors

Redevelopment must include:

  • Better lighting
  • More parking
  • Street beautification
  • Stronger policing
  • Sidewalk repairs
  • Transit access improvements

A clean, safe corridor attracts businesses — and keeps families local.

4. A “Live, Work, Shop” model for Los Angeles District 1

Just like Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, Los Angeles District 1 can create communities where:

  • Residents live near jobs
  • Seniors can downsize without leaving the neighborhood
  • Young families can afford their first home
  • Small businesses thrive
  • Streets feel alive day and night

This is how you reduce poverty, stabilize families, and rebuild the middle class.

Read Real Solutions for Homelessness →

Joseph Lucey