Pacoima’s New Cooling Corridor Opens Just in Time for the Heat
Los Angeles, CA · July 16, 2026
The sun is already asserting itself over the basin this morning. If you are heading toward the Valley, you will notice the new light-colored pavement on Van Nuys Boulevard is finally ready for its first real test.
📰 The Lead
The Pacoima Cooling Corridor officially debuts today, marking a significant milestone in the city’s effort to lower street-level temperatures in the hottest neighborhoods. Spanning several blocks along Van Nuys Boulevard, the project features "cool pavement" coating designed to reflect solar radiation rather than absorb it, alongside dozens of newly planted mature trees and high-tech shade structures at bus stops. This isn't just about aesthetics; data from the pilot phase suggests these interventions can drop surface temperatures by up to 10 degrees during peak afternoon hours. For residents who rely on public transit or walking, the corridor provides a much-needed reprieve from the asphalt heat. City officials will be on-site this morning for a ribbon-cutting, but the real victory is the immediate relief for a community that historically bears the brunt of our summer spikes.
🏙️ Local Pulse
Smart Thermostat Rebates Increase — LADWP is doubling instant rebates for energy-efficient cooling devices starting today to help residents manage the summer grid.
Sunset Boulevard Lane Closures — Expect delays near San Vicente through Friday as crews finalize pedestrian safety upgrades and new crosswalk striping.
New Branch Library for Little Tokyo — The city council finalized the site selection last night, moving the long-awaited neighborhood hub toward the design phase.
⛅ Today's Outlook
- High 94°F · Low 69°F — Partly cloudy
- Hydrate early and seek shade by noon as the inland heat peaks this afternoon.
📅 What's On Around Town
Twilight Concert Series — Santa Monica Pier, 6:00 PM Catch live indie-pop over the Pacific—arrive early to snag a spot on the sand.
Shakespeare in the Park — Old Zoo at Griffith Park, 7:00 PM Bring a blanket and a picnic for a free performance of "As You Like It."
KCRW Summer Nights — Hammer Museum, 7:30 PM Outdoor dancing with live DJs and after-hours gallery access in Westwood.
Culver City: Sunset Concerts — City Hall Courtyard, 7:00 PM A short trip for jazz under the stars in a cozy, tiered-seating venue.
Long Beach: Night Market — Shoreline Village, 5:00–10:00 PM Drive south for local makers, food trucks, and harbor views at sunset.
📸 Spotlight & Story
- Galco’s Soda Pop Stop John Nese transformed his family’s 100-year-old Highland Park grocery into a temple of carbonation. With over 700 varieties of vintage and international sodas, the aisles are a liquid museum where small-batch bottlers still reign supreme over corporate giants.
Los Angeles Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.