Crenshaw Mall Goes To…..Not The Highest Bidder

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall was sold to Harridge Development Group for $111 Million.

For those who believe gentrification still doesn’t exist please explain how a predominantly black South LA community group was able to raise $115 million to buy Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall but lost the bid to a non-black, non-local developer who raise less then they did. DWS recently awarded the bid to Harridge Development Group, who appears to specialize in large-scale mixed-use projects throughout Los Angeles. Supposedly Harridge won the bid with financial backing from Russian American billionaire oil tycoon, Leonard Blavatnik but without his backing DCR had the highest bid. Harridge Development Group bought the mall from a Chicago private equity fund for about $111 million. Now they also bought the neighboring Macy’s building, which I guess is considered separate from the mall for an additional $30 Million, so some argue that’s what tilted the scale to Harridge.

The South LA community group known as Downtown Crenshaw Rising stated that DWS favored a non-black, non-local developer, which caused many race question in regards to areas of gentrification. The DCR was able to raise $59.5 million on top of $35 million in philanthropy that was already in their bank account. DCR wanted to build affordable housing, job train programs, a 6 acre park daycare, recording studio, and a production district with theater and a permeant home for us South LA food Co-Op. the proposal also included a hotel, restaurant, office space, and educational space. Even with a solid plan for the space and the highest bid this year, they still lost a bidding war. DCR is strongly worried about the gentrification is more displacing the black on businesses of the area.

Proposed Development For Crenshaw And Expo

Metro and Los Angeles County staff are proposing to enter a six-month negotiating period with the developer Watt Companies to build 492 residential units and about 47,500 square feet of community-serving space on two parcels at the intersection of Exposition and Crenshaw Boulevards. The development — which includes commercial and retail units — is literally steps away from stations for the Expo Line and the future Crenshaw/LAX Line, which is scheduled to open in fall 2019. Here’s the staff report.

Under the proposal, 73 (or 15 percent) of the 492 residential units, will be affordable units for households earning 50 percent or less of the area median income. The community-serving space is envisioned to include a grocery store and restaurant space targeted for locally-owned and operated businesses. A business incubator-type space would be part of the development, as well as a mobility hub to provide bicycle and carshare connections for Metro riders. 

The proposal also includes nearly three acres of public open space that will also host community events. During the six-month period, Watt Companies will offer opportunities to the community to provide feedback on the proposed project. Watt will also seek out a community-based organization who can add additional local participation on their team.

Straight from TheSource….Literally

Crenshaw Line Moving Right Along

Construction on the Crenshaw LAX Line is moving right along.  Major road closures proceed as construction crews dig massive holes 24/7 for the subway portion for the light rail line.  This means great things for our neighborhood (as well as horrible traffic and a lots of closed urban businesses) but as I speak with my constituents, we all seem to worry about the same thing, the effects of gentrification that is going to come along with this light rail line and the effects it will have on our neighborhood.  Well while I was on break, I was able to grab a couple (as well as get some nice construction workers) to grab some up close pictures of the gargantuous hole being dug out for the Crenshaw/King subway stop (that’s suppose to have an underground entrance to the mall).  There is also a massive whole at Vernon and Crenshaw, the Leimert Park Station, and Expo and Crenshaw.  Expo/Crenshaw’s subway station stop, which will be the last stop of phase I of the Crenshaw Line, (phase II is suppose to remain underground and continue all the way to Hollywood and will take humpteen years to be built) will be covered by the massive Crenshaw DIstrict Square development, that I assume they will break ground on once the subway stop is completed.  Expo/Crenshaw station stop is who is all super secretive and being blocked by massive gates/tarps/”Eat Shop Play Crenshaw” banners. Construction is scheduled to continue well into 2018 so please take note of all road closures.

Crenshaw closures since January

Crenshaw Line Construction Right on Track

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Community Festival In The Village!

Come out and support local businesses! Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw is hosting a community festival in Leimert Park Village on Saturday, Mar. 21. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature food, live music, art and fun activities for the whole family.

For those hoping to ride the bus to Leimert Park, please note that some buses in the area will be on detour due to construction of the Crenshaw/LAX Line. Metro Rapid 740, 705 and 710 will be on detour via Arlington Avenue.  Metro Bus 40, 105 and 210 will continue to serve the Leimert Park area via 43rd Street. For trip planning, visit metro.net. There is also parking in the area along Leimert Boulevard, 43rd Street and surrounding side streets.

Courtesy of The Source

Business Resource Fair @ Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

Need some help or advice your business, well make sure you make it out to the FREE Business Resource Fair at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza March 28th, 10am-2pm.  Take advantage as much free knowledge as possible and make your ideas prosperous and lucrative.

Neighborhood Meetings, Save The Date!!

SPECIAL MEETING — PLANNING, LAND USE &

BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

TUESDAY January 27, 2015, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza – Community Room

3650 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008

Join Metro and Walsh-Shea Corridor Constructors
at the Construction Update Community Meeting

Learn about upcoming construction activities

Wednesday, January 28, 2015
6pm to 7:30pm

Crenshaw United Methodist Church
3740 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Parking is available in the adjacent parking lot.
Signage will direct people to the meeting room (Wesley Hall).

To RSVP or ask questions, please call (213) 922-2736 or emailcrenshawcorridor@metro.net.

For direction and information taking public transit call 323.GO.METRO (323) 466.3876

Street closures are noted on the Neighborhood Council website: http://www.ecwandc.org

EMPOWERMENT CONGRESS WEST TOWN HALL MEETING

Saturday February 7, 2015

Crenshaw United Methodist Church

3740 Don Felipe Drive , Los Angeles 90008

 

More Info on Empowerment Congress West Area Website

Crenshaw District Square Moving Right Along

Some time back I notified you guys of Crenshaw District Square project at Crenshaw and Exposition, well after years of delay, the project is in full motion.  District Square represents a new era within the Crenshaw District.  What was home to the neighborhood old Ralph’s and Cameo Cleaners, which was blighted with asbestos, is being transformed into a 300,000 square foot shopping center, designed by the Irvine-based KTGY Group and The Charles Company.  The project will bring a variety of large chain retailers to the Crenshaw neighborhood. The multi-level development will contain retail and parking on the ground level, retail on the second level, and parking on the roof.  Because this is a multi-level development, vertical transportation is an important component of the project and it will include elevators, escalators and cartilators to handle the movement of people and shopping carts. Segregated ramping is provided in the design to accommodate both private vehicle access and service truck access. Shade/trellis structures at the roof level parking will provide shade and landscaping opportunities.  The project is expected to include a Target, Ross, Marshall’s and leasing space for other vendors and retailers.  KGTY website gives no information on the project’s timeline or budget, but by the way the project is moving along I am predicting a completion date of 2 years, provide no budge issues arise.

KGTY

South LA Welcomes New Retail Center

Support Crenshaw Business and Win Cash Prizes!!

Help Others While Helping Yourself!

$1,000 Quarterly Drawings

Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw makes it easy for you to Eat at Local Restaurants, Shop at local retail stores and Play at local destinations.  It can also help you win $1,000 in cash!  .

How To Participate

Entering the Quarterly Drawings couldn’t be easier.  From your cell phone, tablet or computer, submit photos of receipts from participating businesses by clicking “Take the Pledge/Submit Drawing Entry” at Metro’s website.  It’s that easy. So take the pledge to Eat, Shop, Play Crenshaw today and help your neighborhood while helping yourself!

Good Luck!

Pledge Cards and Drawing Entries may also be picked-up and submitted in-person at Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project Field Office, 3699 Crenshaw Bl, Los Angeles CA, 90016.

Receipts must be $25 or more to qualify.  Each qualifying receipt gets a new Drawing Entry, so the more often you spend dollars locally, the greater your chances are to win!

Additional Crenshaw Closures

Just received and email there will be additional Crenshaw Closure to complete the excavation at Crenshaw and Exposition.  The contractor will need to implement another closure of Crenshaw Blvd. in order to complete the excavation and decking of the street between Exposition Blvd. and Rodeo Rd.  Another closure is needed in order for the contractor to complete the work in this area.  The closure of Crenshaw at Exposition Blvd. will be 24/7 between Sunday, January 4, at 9 pm and Monday, January 12, at 6 am.  Rodeo Rd. will remain open during the closure.

Crenshaw Phase III 01.04.15

Plans For A New Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall

Remember in 2012 I told yall there were plans to do a complete overhaul of the current Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall, to bring the mall more out the street and make it more pedestrian friendly as well as add hotels and condos galore, well I wasn’t lying! Here are some conceptual designs of what the area is to come of and some are saying it may make the area a 24 hour community.  With the stop at King and Crenshaw off the Crenshaw Line, an underground portal will connect the mall to the Crenshaw Line and I think Capri Capital Partners (mall owners and developers) wants to capitalize off that.  They are planning to add over 2 million square feet of new retail, hotel, offices, condos, and apartment space, completely transforming the current image/idea of the mall.  I believe these plans also incorporate developing Marlton Square as well.  And At Santa Rosalia and Stocker, the plans is to put up a 12-story hotel tower with 400 rooms.

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Curbed LA:

“Developers/mall-owners Capri Capital Partners are planning a separate “pedestrian-oriented retail village” where Stocker Street meets Crenshaw; it would have a collection of one- and two-story restaurants and stores grouped around a wide pedestrian paseo that would connect shoppers to the mall. The area would be liberally landscaped; from the renderings, it looks so similar to a Grove-like shopping center that you can almost hear the piped-in music. Though there are definitely pedestrian-friendly elements at work here, don’t fret, drivers: there will also be plenty of parking. Despite new subway access right at its front door, at MLK Jr. Boulevard and Crenshaw, there will be 7,000 parking spots split between the two sections of the site.”

Well lets see how this pans out.

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Master Plan

Redeveloping BHCP