Mayor Karen Bass tapped prominent business and civic figure Steve Soboroff to lead rebuilding and recovery efforts from the Palisades fire.

“Our absolute priority is to return Angelenos to their homes and rebuild,” Bass said in a statement. “Steve knows our communities, he knows how to activate City Hall, he knows how to engage the public, business, non profit and philanthropic resources needed for this massive effort. There is no one better equipped to create our rebuilding plan.”

The Palisades fire has ripped through the Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu and Topanga since it began Jan. 7, damaging more than 3,500 structures and counting. It was only 31% contained as of Friday morning. The Eaton fire in Altadena has devastated sections of unincorporated Altadena and the city of Pasadena, but not property in the city of Los Angeles.

Soboroff is the managing partner of Soboroff Partners, which has developed shopping centers such as the Park at Cross Creek in Malibu. But he has gained more attention for his public-facing roles in philanthropic and oversight organizations, including serving on the Los Angles Police Commission from 2013 to 2023. He served on the board of directors for the affordable housing nonprofit Weingart Foundation and was formerly the CEO of Playa Vista.

The release from the mayor's office draws attention to his involvement in the making of Playa Vista, where “he spearheaded the development of an entirely new Los Angeles neighborhood,” and says he served as a senior adviser to former LA Mayor Richard Riordan during the Northridge Earthquake.

Soboroff grew up in the Palisades and raised his family in the neighborhood.

In his first 90 days in the position of chief recovery officer, Soboroff will lead the charge to develop a plan for clearing sites and streamlining rebuilding permits.

He has also been tasked with working with stakeholders and city departments, including fire, police and emergency management departments, to ensure residents can “safely access their property and to protect their properties” until evacuation orders have been lifted and residents can return.