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

Affordable Housing Coming To Vermont And Manchester

The abandon parcel of land located on the northeastern side of Vermont and Manchester will be seized and developed into affordable housing, retail, Metro transit plaza, preparatory boarding academy, and a training center. LA Superior Court Judge Daniel Murphy ruled April 26th, that LA County could use eminent domain to seize the land. Judge Murphy stated that owner Eli Sasson wouldn’t lose any rents and has failed to develop on the land. Los Angeles County will take possession of a four-acre property on May 7th. Owner Eli Sasson has left the land undeveloped since the 1992 Civil Unrest. Back in May of 2015, Former Councilmen Bernard Parks proposed a Vermont Entertainment District and even hosted a ground breaking event for the project, the website, of-course has been removed so I’m assuming those plans fell through. I welcome the affordable housing; I think that’s a much better use of the land.

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LA County Poised to Develop Vermont And Manchester Project

Gentrification**Cough** Excuse Me, I Mean “Cumulus”

 

I originally posted on this back in July of 2016 but since then Carmel Partners, the developers of the project, have released new renderings of the major 11.9 acre development at La Cienaga and Jefferson, dubbed Cumulus. The project is comprised of 30 story high rise, the first/only high rise in the area, a 7 story podium building, not sure exactly what that means, and also a grocery store and 100,00 square feet or retail space. Potential tenant would enjoy:

“1210 apartments offering lofty ceilings, oversized windows, full-sized washers and dryer, wood style flooring and high end appliances. The podium features 24-hour concierge service, 3,600 square feet of co-working space, and a 1-acre public park plaza. 100,000 square feet of landscaped courtyards showcase multiple viewing decks and expansive outdoor social areas featuring a resort style pool and spa. A state-of-the-art fitness center features cardio equipment, fitness machines, flat screen televisions, a spin room and yoga studio with Fitness-on-Demand technology. The tower boasts 24-hour concierge service and a roof top deck with multiple seating areas and sweeping view of Los Angeles. A roof top resort style spa is surrounded by daybeds, chaise lounges, and cabanas. The sixth-floor amenity deck features a pool and spa as well as a large indoor-outdoor amenity space with recreational lounges and private event rooms. ”

I don’t believe this was planned with the current residents of the area in mind.  And believe developers were at first trying to sell the area as Culver City.

#GentrificationAtItsFinest

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SB 827 Shot Dead

Legislators killed SB 827 in a 6 to 4 vote during the first committee meeting Tueday April 24^th 2018.  SB 827 was an ambitious bill proposed by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that would have drastically change zoning laws to increase construction of four and five story buildings near major transit/rail stations and frequently served bus stops.  The bill was originally introduced in January and was immediately hit with opposition.  Opponents of the bill claimed it would jeopardize the character of neighborhoods and lead to traffic and parking pains.   The bill was targeted towards single family neighborhoods where dense development was prohibited.  Wiener and pro-housing groups argued that the state had to intervene because decades of slow-growth policies by local governments have created a devastating housing shortage.   The lack of affordable housing has formed into a huge problem bringing California into an extreme housing crisis but many thought this solution was a little too drastic.  Although the bill was defeated many believe this is just the beginning of extreme measures to solve California’s Housing Crisis. 

 YIMBYS Defeated as California Transit Density Bill Stalls 

SB 827 is Dead. But California still can – and should- build more Housing Near Transit

SB 827 fails In Committee

 

 

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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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

West Carson To Receive A Regional Transit Hub

West Carson is getting some well needed attention with the announcement of a Regional Hub and even talk about building a community around it.  West Carson is slated to become Eastern South Bay’s regional transportation hub near the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (I believe Torrance is building one too).  The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a state grant that will use $491,770 develop a plan aimed at improving transportation, sustainability and increase housing in the area.  The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning will  create a master plan that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing a sustainable community project within a ½ mile radius of the West Carson Metro station.

East South Bay’s Regional Transportation Hub

Expo Adjacent Crenshaw District Square Coming

As we’ve been talking about for a while here at SouthLA, located a block south of the Expo/Crenshaw station the Crenshaw District Square project is gaining traction. Replacing a Rite Aid, Ralph’s and Cleaners, which have been staples in the community for over a decade the two-story 300,000 square foot center will  bring a host of new retailers to the Crenshaw District. It is expected to include a Target,  Ross, Marshall’s and leasing space for other vendors and retailers.

KTGY Design Company on the Crenshaw District Square

New expo adjacnet retail in SouthLA