Torrance council accepts economic development update; directs staff to study Friendship events, façade revisions and Olympic-era options

The Torrance City Council on Sept. 23 accepted and filed an economic development update and gave staff direction to pursue several initiatives including a potential Friendship Games event, revisions to a commercial facade program to offset city permitting and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance costs, and further exploration of opportunities tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

City officials said the measures are intended to leverage Torrance’s hospitality and business assets to bring visitors and investment to the city while also backing retention and improvement efforts for local businesses.

Fran Fulton, the city’s economic development manager, summarized work since the council’s February update, including international delegations (notably from Oshu, Japan), use of location analytics (Placer.ai) to track visitation patterns, downtown revitalization projects and ongoing outreach to manufacturers, startups and retail prospects. Fulton told the…