📬 Mayor Dan O'Brien — Culver City — November 17, 2025

Hello friends,

When I was editing films or TV commercials late into the night, I knew this city's creative energy was a driving force behind much of its identity—from the studio backlots to the small shops on Main Street.

That's what being the Heart of Screenland means: we create, we build, we support the people who tell stories. This week, we put action behind that identity in a major way, and I want to share what's happening in your city.

🎬 Economic Development & Film Industry

🔹 Film Industry Support Package Approved. After decades of supporting Hollywood, we're now stepping up to help our creative economy recover. The Council approved a comprehensive package that includes temporary film permit fee incentives, free production parking at key locations, and a new film business directory to connect productions with our local vendors. We've capped the program at $500,000 for fiscal responsibility, and I'm pushing staff to track how this creates jobs and supports our restaurants and small businesses. This matters because when productions choose Culver City, everyone benefits—from the crew grabbing lunch downtown to the hotel bookings and equipment rentals.
👉 Read about the film support package

🔹 Small Business Technical Assistance Programs Rolling out. We allocated $95,000 for two pilot programs: one offers training and support through the SBDC for up to 30 businesses, and another reimburses up to $5,000 in permit fees for brick-and-mortar shops. My hope is these programs lower barriers for entrepreneurs and strengthen our local economy from the ground up.
👉 Explore Business Resources

🚌 Transportation & Public Transit

🔹 CulverCityBus named 2025 Transit Agency of the Year. At last Monday's council meeting, our Transportation Chief Diana Chang announced this win from the California Transit Association—the fifth time we've earned this recognition. When you see Line 6 packed with UCLA students and commuters choosing transit over cars, you're watching the result of years of smart planning and dedicated operators. I'm proud of our team's creativity and commitment to keeping Culver City connected sustainably.
👉 Learn about CulverCityBus

🚦 Streets & Infrastructure

🔹 Sepulveda Connects community meeting—thank you for showing up. Monday's meeting about redesigning Sepulveda Boulevard was an important one to attend. This project touches traffic flow, safety, and how our neighborhoods connect. There will be more opportunities to weigh in as designs develop. I want to see plans that actually work for drivers, public transit, cyclists, and pedestrians—without negatively impacting small businesses or making it more difficult for people with disabilities to access them.
👉 View the Sepulveda Connects project page

🏘️ Housing & Community Development

🔹 Hayden Tract Specific Plan Moving Forward. The Planning Commission is reviewing proposals that could bring heights up to 110 feet and significant new housing density to this creative-office district. As someone who's walked these streets for decades, I'm watching closely to ensure any growth includes real community benefits: open space connections to Ballona Creek, walkability improvements, and infrastructure that serves residents. Growth is inevitable—how we grow is up to us.
👉 View Meetings & Agendas

🎭 Arts & Community

🔹 Join us for "A Toast With The Mayor" Today. On November 18 from 5-7 PM at One Culver, the Chamber is hosting a celebration as my term as mayor wraps up. It's been an honor to serve this role, and I'd love to see you there. Come for the wine and light bites, stay for good conversation with neighbors.
👉 RSVP for A Toast With The Mayor

🔹 The Wende Museum—a community jewel. If you haven't visited lately, this Cold War museum offers free admission and hosts 10-15 events weekly for local nonprofits. I helped bring the Wende to Culver City years ago because spaces that spark curiosity and tough conversations make us stronger.
👉 Explore the Wende Museum

📅 This Week & Upcoming

🔹 Today, Nov 18, 5-7 PM — A Toast With The Mayor. One Culver. Join me to celebrate this year of service together.
👉 RSVP here

🔹 Every Tuesday, 2-7 PM — Downtown Farmers Market. Main Street. Grab produce, support local growers, and say hello to neighbors.
👉 Visit the Farmers Market page

🔹 How to watch and participate in meetings. Agendas post Wednesdays before Monday meetings. You can attend in person or virtually.
👉 How to watch meetings
 👉 View Meetings & Agendas

🙌 Closing Thought

Whether it's supporting our creative economy, connecting neighborhoods through better transit, or making space for the conversations that matter—this work only succeeds when you're part of it.

If you have a question, an idea, or just want to talk about what's working and what's not, hit reply. That's how we keep Culver City moving forward together.

Thank you for showing up.

Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Culver City. Thank you for being part of our community.

Dan O'Brien
Mayor, Culver City
dan.obrien@culvercity.org