The mayor shared that it was people working together that helped Inglewood begin a new chapter.
“There will be a significant peace to fully realize the renaissance of our city,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. during the “City of Inglewood State of the City: An Economic Summit 2024” at the Intuit Dome.
“Two words and two concepts, the first is synergy, the second is collaborate. There can be no synergy without collaboration.”
Butts made it very clear at the Intuit Dome on Friday, June 28, in front of staff, city and county officials, dignitaries and guests, that he is very appreciative of the support, collaborations and partners that have helped bring the city of Inglewood to this moment.
Inglewood’s 12th mayor, Butts has over 50 years of public safety and municipal government experience. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University.
He has held the rank of CEO, general manager and assistant general manager of three large municipal organizations. Butts served 19 years in the Inglewood Police Department, becoming deputy chief, 15 years as the chief of police for the City of Santa Monica, and five years as an assistant general manager for Los Angeles World Airports in charge of Public Safety and Counterterrorism, taking LAX to number 1 ranking nationwide by the TSA in 2009. He is also a seven-year board member and past chairman of the Los Angeles Metro Board of Directors.
“When I got to Santa Monica, I said, ‘Man, it can’t get any better than this,’ when I got to the airport, I had a $114,000,000 budget, I had 1,100 employees and I said, ‘It can’t get any better than this,’ came back to Inglewood — all we had was Sizzler and a big donut — and an $18 million deficit,” said Butts.
“I said, ‘it doesn’t get any worse than this,’ but I found out there are great people ready to coalesce behind me.
“A vision that they could be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
Since 2012, Inglewood has become an economic and societal success, achieving national recognition as the sports and entertainment destination in the United States. This is due to the renovation of landmark destinations and new developments such as the Fabulous Forum, the opening of SoFi Stadium, NFL Network facility, YouTube Theater, Showtime Production Studio, L.A. Philharmonic Youth Orchestra building and the construction of the Intuit Dome.
“When I took office in February 2011, we had zero dollars,” said Mayor Butts. “By June, we would not make payroll, our bond rating was BBB-minus and our unemployment rate was 17.5 percent, the highest in the nation.
“Our roads were a mess; we had 19,000 trees and were trimming about 600 trees a year.”
Butts shared it was all turned around using synergy and collaboration with partners, city officials and the community, which has helped Inglewood becoming a hub for just about everything. He also shared how the coming Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) will bring more jobs, revenue and opportunities to the city.
“The ITC is going to create meaningful jobs for the city and its residents,” said Butts. “This is a project that will be built with union workers, many of which will be local hires.”
Butts continued, “With $1.9 billion, local, state, federal funds, we’re on track to build and design the ITC and expect to see construction in the beginning of the next year.”
The event was hosted by Butts and co-host Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers. NBC Sports Fred Roggin emceed a business panel featuring Butts and Ballmer (Clippers), Casey Wasserman (LA28), Kevin Demoff (COO Rams) Patrick Soon Shiong (Los Angeles Times) and other prominent figures.
The event was attended by L.A. city and county leaders including L.A. County Board of Supervisors Hilda L. Solis, Holly J. Mitchell, Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn, and Lindsey P. Horvath. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, underscored the significance of the occasion. Butts also honored and awarded city administrators, county partners and community leaders for their part in helping the city. Mitchell, Hahn and Horvath shared remarks about Butts and his accomplishments.
“Mr. Mayor, we love you with our whole heart, we love serving with you on the Metro Board and you are a man of vision,” said Mitchell.
“All of us are elected policymakers, big thinkers just like you and with this partnership, more great things will happen for this region and for the city of Inglewood.”
“I love celebrating in Inglewood,” said Horvath. “I’m so thrilled to see the progress that’s happened in Inglewood and to have a partnership with the city. Count on us, call on us, we’re ready to be here when you need us.”
“I grew up in Inglewood, I grew up at Crenshaw and Florence, all three of my children were born at Daniel Freemen Hospital,” said Hahn.
“I love Inglewood, but Mayor Butts, what you have done is absolutely spectacular and as the new incoming chair of Metro Board of Directors, I look forward to doing whatever we can to improve transportation opportunities here in Inglewood, which really will benefit our entire region.
“You are an incredible man; this city is lucky to have you as its mayor.”
For more information about what’s going on in the city of Inglewood, visit www.cityofinglewood.org
