Will Jay Z’s Grand Park party pan out?

It’s a sign of downtown Los Angeles’ maturity and significance as a cultural destination that rap impresario Jay Z wants to bring his Budweiser Made in America Festival to Grand Park over Labor Day weekend. The tickets-only event at the Civic Center park could include three stages and beer gardens, and require closing surrounding streets for several days. Promoters anticipate 50,000 concertgoers, double the number of revelers who turned out for the park’s New Year’s Eve bash.

Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office had been working with concert producer Live Nation on the logistics of permitting the proposed event and coordinating street closures and public safety. But City Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents downtown, complained publicly this week that his office, along with neighboring businesses and residents, were left out of the usual planning process for large-scale events. He wants to withhold all permits until festival details are vetted by his council office and community members.

Huizar is right to look out for his constituents and demand public input on a huge event that could disrupt the Civic Center for days. It’s especially important to establish positive community relations because Grand Park is likely to become an increasingly popular venue for ticketed concerts and festivals that turn “The Park for Everyone” into a fenced-off “Park for the Paying.” The infusion of private money could be good for downtown and L.A., but only if the city, the county and the Grand Park staff can ensure that such events don’t become more than a minor inconvenience for the surrounding community.

Too often, city leaders make critical decisions behind closed doors, present stakeholders a completed plan and only then ask for reaction, when it’s a done deal. This kind of management can lead to resentment and ultimately opposition in communities with frequent special events, such as downtown and Hollywood. If Garcetti wants to draw more concerts or other cultural attractions that bring revenue and prestige to the city, he would be wise to involve the community early in the planning process. Perhaps if his office had been more proactive on the Made in America Festival, there would be less talk about street closures and more talk about the important details. Like: Will Beyoncé be there?