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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Authorization to Release a Request for Proposals for an Economic and Community Investment Analysis and Strategic Implementation Plan Related to Culver City’s 2028 Olympic Activations.
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Meeting Date: September 28, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Elaine Warner, Economic Development Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-5777
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/24/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Troy, Assistant City Manager (09/10/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an economic and community investment and strategic implementation plan related to the City’s 2028 Olympic activations.
BACKGROUND
In January 2023, the City Council created the City Council Ad Hoc 2028 Summer Olympics Preparation Subcommittee (“Council Subcommittee”), comprised of Mayor Puza and Councilmember O’Brien.
On July 22, 2023, the Subcommittee held a kickoff event to celebrate the five-year countdown until the opening ceremonies and to conduct a high-level brainstorm/community visioning workshop relative to Culver City’s role in the games. More than 50 people attended the workshop to discuss topics related to arts and culture, tourism, policy issues, and infrastructure/improvements.
On May 22, 2024, the Subcommittee held a joint meeting of the Subcommittee, Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission, Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC), and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Olympics Subcommittees, and representatives of the Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee (EHRAC) and the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC), to discuss planning for the 2028 Olympics. The group discussed how the City can actively and equitably engage its residents in the Olympics and ensure that the Games create a positive impact for the community, what part of Culver City they would want to highlight to the world, and what Culver City needs to do to prepare for the Olympics.
The discussion identified eight goals and related policy and program ideas for the development of an overall action plan (Attachment 1). On September 9, 2024, the 2028 Olympics Policy and Program Ideas document was approved by City Council.
Additional Olympic related actions included the production of a Closing Olympics Ceremony Screening event in August 2024 and a Consular General Tour, showcasing Culver City venues, in August 2025. Additionally, the City approved a sponsorship of the New Zealand Hospitality 2028 Olympic hospitality house and fan zone in Town Plaza in September 2025.
In April 2026, the Council approved the Culver City 2028 Cultural Program Framework (Attachment 2) for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which aligns with the City of Los Angeles 2028 Cultural Program Framework, while focusing on Culver City’s role as a creative hub, collaborator, and host for locally rooted cultural activity.
DISCUSSION
As the City considers previous recommendations and current opportunities (i.e. hospitality houses) during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is important to consider the overall financial investment and potential costs/benefits associated with specific activations.
To implement certain recommendations, substantial resources may be required relative to event production costs, public safety, sanitation, public works, transportation, parking, insurance, and City staff. A comprehensive cost benefit and investment analysis would allow the City to better understand and evaluate priorities and develop comprehensive implementation plan that reflects the community’s values.
The RFP would require, but not limited to, the following directives:
• Review current recommendations and propose other potential activations to leverage Culver City as a destination to support existing hospitality industries and local businesses;
• Develop a strategic framework to evaluate costs, investments and impacts for inclusion into an overall implementation plan;
• Identify public private partnerships to support and leverage proposed programs and initiatives;
• Identify community, legacy and youth sports opportunities that will provide lasting value/benefits beyond the Olympic games.
The City would seek consultants with demonstrated experience in economic impact analysis, tourism, hospitality, destination development, event economics, municipal finance, cultural economics, and/or community activation evaluation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with authorization to release the RFP. Staff will return to the City Council for consideration of a professional services agreement at a future date.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-09-28_ATT 1_Olympics Goals and Related Action Items
2. 2026-09-28_ATT 2_Approved Cultural Framework
recommended action
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Authorize the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an economic and community investment and strategic implementation plan related to the City’s 2028 Olympic activations.