RESURGENCE OF THE CITY AS DRIVER OF POLICY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Bay Area Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman joined an august panel of business and policy leaders this week (Nov. 20) at the Milken Institute California Summit in Los Angeles for a discussion on the resurgence of the city as a driver of policy and economic growth. Wunderman engaged in a lively discussion with Carol Armstrong, Director of the L.A. River Project for the City of Los Angeles; Riverside Mayor William Bailey; Los Angeles Times Publisher & CEO Austin Beutner; and Plenary Concessions Executive Chairman Dale Bonner, who served as California’s secretary of business, transportation and housing from 2007 to 2011. Kevin Knowden, the Milken Institute’s California Center Director and Managing Economist, moderated the discussion.

During the discussion, Wunderman highlighted how public-private partnerships and private sector financing mechanisms in major Bay Area cities are advancing innovative solutions toward the region’s transportation, water and infrastructure challenges—citing the Bay Area Council’s role in the Oakland Airport Connector and development of San Francisco’s commuter shuttle pilot program as prime examples. Watch the discussion.