USC's new housing and retail plan passes early city review

USC’s massive redevelopment plan to replace a current shopping center and some dormitories north of Jefferson Boulevard with new housing, a hotel, shops and a public plaza, has gotten past an important hurdle. A Los Angeles city planning department’s draft environmental impact statement declared Thursday that any significant effects on traffic, noise, population and other issues are expected to be successfully mitigated.

The plan, called USC Village, calls for about 5,400 dorm beds and 250 faculty housing units, along with 350,000 square feet in commercial and retail space and a hotel with up to 150 rooms in the area north of the main campus and west of Hoover Street.

Some nearby residents have expressed concerns that it might hasten gentrification and displacement in adjacent neighborhoods near downtown Los Angeles. But USC contends the new housing will ease demographic pressures on the wider rental market and that the shops and a cinema will serve the community as well as students and teachers.

The city has scheduled a public forum on the environmental review for June 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Expo Center, 3980 S. Menlo Ave.

-- Larry Gordon

Comments

[The Gaucho]

As long as the shops and cinema are affordable, I doubt development will "serve" the community, it will cater to USC students and faculty. Sure put in a Pacific Theaters and higher end cafes and pricey indie shopping boutiques..... If anyone hasn't noticed for every 5-7 luxury apartments built within the Downtown L.A. area, only 1 low income housing or 1 senior citizen housing is built. That's a horrible ratio if you look at the annual income of the majority of families that live in the area.

[Tommy Trojan]

FIGHT ON!

I only wish I got to experience this back when I was there. We had to deal with the not too pleasing University Village.

[TAM]

USC always gets what it wants while others never do. The city put up a signal light on Hoover, and we have been trying to get a signal for years after two sailors were killed one night in the 40s. It is a bad area going around a curve. USC always get our parking enforcement officers, and we pay for them.

[Christian]

How very typical of USC. Developing a new entertainment plaza without any regard for the impoverished individuals residing in the surrounding area. If you want to see a shining example of class disparity just go to USC and make sure to visit the surrounding cities in "South Central." I am sure you will find the experience pleasing to the heart.

[Elodie]

USC is the single largest private employer in South Los Angeles. And with this development, it is about to employ thousands more. But apparently in Christian's world, jobs don't mean anything. While folks like Christian are whining with faux-righteousness about class disparity, USC is making a hugely positive impact on its community. And that's not even taking into account the wide array of wonderful outreach, community development, and scholarship programs that the university provides.

Christian, cynicism isn't critical thinking. It's just an excuse for laziness.