Progress Overview and Community Update
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is undertaking a long-term Bluff Mitigation Project to stabilize the bluff and ultimately restore the iconic LMU letters. This project is driven by the university’s commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and preserving the campus’ visual identity.
The project began in late 2023 in response to seasonal erosion and storm damage and involves multiple phases, including soil stabilization, bluff regrading, installation of protective materials, and future vegetation planting. The final phase will be the reconstruction of the LMU letters, once the slope is fully stabilized.
The timeline below outlines key milestones, updates, and next steps in the project. LMU continues to work closely with engineers, city agencies, and the local community to ensure transparency and environmental stewardship throughout the process.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Fred Puza, director of LMU Community Relations, at 310-338-2759 or community@lmu.edu.
Project Background
- Record rainfall in 2023 caused soil erosion and damage to LMU’s iconic bluff letters and lighting. This required mitigation efforts that included covering the letters in plastic and rebuilding specific sections that had fallen or become damaged.
- Over several months, LMU worked with the city of Los Angeles on a plan to restore the integrity of the bluff and repair and preserve the areas that support the letters.
- Phase 1 of the Bluff Mitigation Project began in October 2024 in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.
- As part of Phase 1, the concrete LMU letters were removed. This action was a first necessary step to address slope conditions and help mitigate additional impacts from weather-related erosion.
- Future phases of the project will involve further slope stabilization efforts, including the planting of native vegetation to enhance the stability and natural beauty of the area and replacing the LMU letters.
- We anticipate that this multi-phase project will take approximately five years to complete, given the complex nature of the work, which requires input from engineers, contractors and historians; the various public and private agencies involved; and the time needed for the environmental mitigation plan to take shape.
Timeline
June 2025
- Phase 1 complete: LMU letters removed (November 2024).
- Current work: Slope stabilization at former letter site (expected completion November 2025, weather permitting).
Next steps:
- Planting of vegetation for aesthetic and soil stability (June 2026).
- LMU letters to be replaced after vegetation is installed.
February 2025
- Grading work proceeded according to LADWP-issued permit drawings.
December 2024
- Bluff letter area was untarped between storms to allow soil stabilization work.
October 2024
- Phase 1 began, which was a long-term mitigation plan to prevent erosion, stabilize the bluff, and mitigate negative environmental impacts.
- Phase 1 included periodic re-tarping of the area throughout the process in response to changing weather conditions.
May 2024
- Stabilization design below the LMU letters was approved.
- "Ready to Issue" permit was picked up from the contractor.
- Structural analysis was conducted due to the 2024 storm damage.
- "Make safe" infill and stabilization of the damaged section of Cabora Road began.
November 2023
- LMU began the permitting process to regrade the bluff and stabilize the LMU Letters.
- The soils report was approved by the city, which enabled the design work for stabilization to continue.
- The bluff was tarped so work could begin.