July 30, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

UCLA Grad Graham Rossmore Is Helping Shape City Al Fresco Policy

Something That He Didn’t Expect To Be Doing, But He Is Advising the City

As the discussion around the future of al fresco dining in Los Angeles continues, UCLA graduate student Graham Rossmore has emerged as a key expert sought after by local officials, as reported by the UCLA Newsroom. Rossmore, who will receive his master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs on June 16, has dedicated his capstone project to analyzing the economic benefits and drawbacks of continuing outdoor dining that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The central question Rossmore explored was whether the economic advantages of allowing al fresco dining on public property outweigh the potential loss of revenue from parking meters. His findings revealed that the benefits of continuing outdoor dining surpassed the revenue loss from various sources, offering a range of advantages beyond financial considerations.

“Al fresco dining encourages pedestrian activity and alternative modes of transportation, allowing people to truly enjoy their neighborhoods,” said Rossmore.

Capstone projects at UCLA Luskin provide students with an opportunity to delve into timely public policy issues, often collaborating with local government agencies. However, Rossmore’s research had a more immediate impact on citywide policy decisions. A Canadian-born American, Rossmore spent most of his 15 years in California without a car, which sparked his interest in urban planning and transportation, particularly parking policy.

Under the guidance of Donald Shoup, a distinguished research professor at UCLA Luskin and an esteemed parking expert, Rossmore examined whether cities should maintain the conversion of outdoor public spaces into al fresco dining areas, which initially began as a temporary response to the pandemic. His focus was on the Rustic Canyon neighborhood in Pacific Palisades, where he resided at the time.

Restaurants in the area transformed off-street parking lots into vibrant al fresco dining spaces, investing significant resources in lighting, fixtures, heating, and seating. Interviews with restaurant owners revealed that these efforts resulted in doubled sales and expanded customer bases.

Rossmore’s research led to a summer internship with Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian’s office, and he eventually became involved in the city’s Al Fresco Dining program within the parking meters division of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). His experiences with LADOT informed his capstone project and vice versa. Rossmore discovered that the tax revenue generated by al fresco dining was sufficient to offset the revenue loss from parking meters. 

In presentations to LADOT leaders and city officials, he emphasized the broader benefits of outdoor dining, including increased sales tax revenue, improved economic output, and reduced vehicle use as residents dined closer to their homes.

Moreover, Rossmore noted that restaurants did not report a decline in customers or complaints about parking despite removing parking spots for al fresco dining.

The capstone report by Rossmore thoroughly analyzes three forms of al fresco dining: sidewalk dining, dining in formerly metered street spaces, and dining in private lots. Each format presents its own regulatory considerations, with sidewalk dining falling under the Department of Building and Safety purview due to safety codes and compliance requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

As Los Angeles continues to explore the potential of al fresco dining as a permanent feature of the city’s culinary landscape, Rossmore’s research provides valuable insights into its economic benefits and the associated impacts on urban planning and transportation. His work stands as a testament to the role of graduate students in shaping public policy and contributing to the vibrant evolution of the city.

Related Posts

New Beginnings in Brentwood: Dr. Marian Oppenheimer Opens Private Psychology Practice at wellpeople

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

For more than 30 years, Dr. Marian Oppenheimer has dedicated herself to one clear purpose: helping people heal, grow, and...

Westchester Del Rey Stuns Tucson With 11-Run Inning to Reach World Series

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Westside Team Heads to Greenville, North Carolina to Compete for Glory  Westchester Del Rey Little League is headed to the...

UCLA Agrees to $6.1 Million Settlement Over Alleged Discrimination During Campus Protests

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

Faculty Group Argued Protest Wasn’t Antisemitic; Judge Approval Still Pending UCLA will pay more than $6 million to settle a...

Tsunami Advisory Issued for Los Angeles Coast After 8.7 Quake Near Russia

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Strong Currents, Surges Expected; Residents Urged to Avoid Beaches and Harbors Update from NWS Los Angeles at 6:50 a.m. “Latest...

Brazen Wheel Thieves Hit Beverly Grove, Hollywood Neighborhoods

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Early-Morning Thefts Leave Cars on Blocks; Residents Coordinate  Los Angeles police are investigating a growing number of wheel thefts reported...

Brentwood Weekly Crime Report:  July 7, 2025 – July 27, 2025

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

LAPD Confirms Fatal Stabbing Among 12 Reported Incidents Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk has resumed crime reporting duties following a...

Second Grenade Still Missing After Blast That Killed Three LA Sheriff’s Detectives

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Only One Grenade Exploded; The Second Device Has Vanished Authorities said Friday that one of two grenades recovered last week...

Kathleen Kaufman Brings Gothic Séance Tale to Brentwood Bookstore

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The Author of Nora Grey Will Appear in Conversation With Jo Kaplan  Diesel, A Bookstore in Brentwood, will host author...

Felony Charges Dropped for Man in UCLA Encampment Attack After Diversion Deal

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Malachi Marlan-Librett Must Complete Therapy, Anti-bias Training in Hate Crime Case The only person charged with a felony in connection...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation,...

Brentwood Beat: Let’s Get Practical

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Do you ever spend time on NextDoor?   It’s a local online bulletin board.  I check it out maybe twice a...

Los Angeles Fire Department Airlifts Two From Brentwood Trails in Same-Day Rescues

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Two Were Hoisted in Back-To-Back Emergencies From Rugged Terrain Two individuals were airlifted to safety Saturday afternoon in separate incidents...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

Award-Winning Beverly Hills Villa Lists for $39.9 Million in Celebrity-Filled Enclave

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

Limestone Showpiece Hits Market in the Flats, From Acclaimed Architect Tucked in the heart of Beverly Hills Flats, a limestone-clad...