Mayor Eric Garcetti is encouraging community organizations to apply for $2.5 million in street improvements and community outreach grants to reimagine public spaces in neighborhoods.

“The Great Streets initiative empowers Angelenos to envision a brighter future for their neighborhoods and gives them the tools to bring those ideas to life,” Garcetti said. “These grants will allow community groups to transform streets across Los Angeles into thoroughfares of opportunity, create corridors of open space and build safer, healthier communities.”

The Great Streets Challenge, now in its third round, empowers Angelenos to transform streets and urban corridors into vibrant, walkable spaces that reflect the unique character of communities. Applications will be accepted through April 1. The city will select up to 10 award recipients to receive help from an urban planning consultant and funding to solicit community input for projects. After six months of outreach, the city will select up to four projects to receive infrastructure investments of approximately $2 million. The investments will be awarded in 2020.

“Los Angeles’s center of gravity is creativity and innovation,” Los Angeles Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds said. “The Great Streets Challenge lets residents transform one of our greatest assets, streets, into a canvas to tell their community’s story.”

Nonprofits, business improvement districts, chambers of commerce, faith-based institutions and schools are encouraged to apply. Finalists will be selected according to an organization’s capacity to conduct outreach as well as a proposed project’s alignment with city policies.

“Our streets consist of more than just asphalt and pavement,” Department of City Planning Director Vince Bertoni said. “They are where people come together to experience art, performances and special events. Creating safe, accessible and welcoming public spaces for our communities speaks to the importance of this initiative and our role in transforming L.A.’s streets into vibrant centers for all to enjoy.”

For information and to apply for a grant, visit lagreatstreets.org.