Major Sidewalk Improvements Underway in West Hollywood Design District

The City of West Hollywood has some major construction currently happening on Melrose Avenue, east of San Vicente Boulevard as part of Design District Streetscape and Undergrounding Project, a major infrastructure effort aimed at transforming the city’s Design District into a modern, pedestrian-friendly, and “smart city” ready neighborhood. Portions of the sidewalk on the south side of Melrose Ave in front of the PDC building are sealed off to pedestrians at the moment.

The project is implementing recommendations from the city’s Design District Streetscape Master Plan, bringing wide-ranging improvements to Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Boulevard, and other key corridors in the district.

Key features include new sidewalks and pavement, upgraded street lighting, shade trees, landscaping, and street furniture designed to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The project also calls for new public gathering spaces with integrated public art, creating more opportunities for community engagement and outdoor activity.

In addition to traditional infrastructure upgrades, the project introduces cutting-edge smart city technology that will make the district one of the first in the nation to be fully “smart city ready.”

Planned technology improvements include:

• Up to 30 new electric vehicle charging stations throughout the district.

• Expansion of the city’s municipal fiber optic network, linking local traffic signals to City Hall and providing public Wi-Fi.

• A pilot program for smart street lighting, using sensors to track traffic flow, pedestrian activity, parking demand, and other data to support future autonomous vehicle infrastructure.

• Smart bus shelters equipped with free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, and next-bus arrival signage.

Construction on Melrose Avenue is working on new wider sidewalks, landscaped medians, shade trees, and improved lighting. Curb extensions at intersections and sharrow markings for shared bike lanes are also part of the improvements.

City staff said similar upgrades will extend throughout the district as work progresses.

The project aligns with West Hollywood’s long-term goals of promoting sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in urban design. Once completed, officials say the Design District will serve as both a model of modern infrastructure and a vibrant cultural and commercial hub for the region.

To learn more about other projects throughout the city, visist: