Community Invited to Shape Monterey Park’s New Vacant‑to‑Vibrant Housing Vision

Monterey Park (File Photo – CityofMPK)

Monterey Park is opening the door to a major reimagining of its neighborhoods, and residents are being asked to help shape what comes next.

By Melanie Hooks

The city has launched “Vacant‑to‑Vibrant MPK: A Family‑Focused Housing Initiative,” a new effort designed to transform empty or under‑used commercial properties into places where families can live, gather, and thrive. According to the Community Development Department, the initiative grew out of months of public conversations about land use and the future of Monterey Park. Now the city wants the community to guide the next phase.

At the heart of the project is a simple question: how can Monterey Park turn unused spaces into something that strengthens the city’s social and economic fabric? Officials say the goal is to address persistent vacancies, create more welcoming public spaces, support local businesses, and expand the range of housing options available for current and future generations. Residents, business owners, and community members are being invited to help craft those solutions.

To gather ideas, the city is hosting a series of workshops throughout June. The first is a virtual presentation and Q&A on Wednesday, June 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, accessible through Zoom. Two in‑person sessions will follow: one on Tuesday, June 23, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the George Elder Park Community Room on Wilcox Avenue, and another on Wednesday, June 24, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Langley Center Friendship Room on Emerson Avenue. Light refreshments will be available at the in‑person events.

City leaders say these workshops are a chance for residents to influence how Monterey Park grows, what kinds of housing options become available, and how local spaces can better serve families. The initiative also aims to bolster the city’s revenue base, which supports essential services.

Information about the program, including updates and meeting details, is available at montereypark.ca.gov/vacanttovibrant, where visitors can also access translations in multiple languages.

For anyone eager to help shape the next chapter of Monterey Park, the city is making it clear: this is the moment to speak up, share ideas, and imagine what a more vibrant, connected community could look like.

Upcoming Community Idea Workshops:

Virtual Presentation and Q&A
Wednesday, June 10, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Attendee Zoom Link.

In-Person Presentation, Q&A and Workshop #1
Tuesday, June 23, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location
George Elder Park Community Room
1950 Wilcox Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91755

In-Person Presentation, Q&A and Workshop #2
Wednesday, June 24, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location
Langley Center Friendship Room
400 W. Emerson Ave.
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Light refreshments will be provided.

> For updates and meeting information, visit montereypark.ca.gov/vacanttovibrant. This information is available in multiple languages by using the website’s translation feature.

> 您可以使用我們網站的翻譯功能，以取 得多種語言版本的此資訊。請掃描二維 碼或瀏覽 montereypark.ca.gov/vacanttovibrant.

> Esta información está disponible en varios idiomas mediante la función de traducción de nuestro sitio web.
Visite montereypark.ca.gov/vacanttovibrant.