CRA/LA Community Investment Report, 2008-2009
excerpts
OVERVIEW
Sixty years of revitalizing L.A. Established in 1948, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) is a public agency that helps Los Angeles neighborhoods become thriving and healthful places to live and work. Our goal is to eliminate slums and abandoned or unsafe properties, and revitalize economically depressed communities with new building projects and jobs.
The CRA/LA has led the construction of projects that have become beloved landmarks, including the signature skyline of Downtown Los Angeles. Today, redevelopment success stories can be seen throughout the City of Los Angeles. We bring new jobs to workers, build new housing for families, establish parks and open space for recreation, and support the development of the commercial centers that keep our City strong.
Meeting today's needs. Our current projects are keeping pace with the way people live now. For example, Hart Village in Canoga Park provides rental housing and an onsite daycare center for families with very low incomes. Wilshire Vermont Station in Koreatown offers rental units above shops and restaurants — plus direct access to the Metro Red Line.
Fostering community pride. We're also investing in infrastructure and streetscape improvement projects on the Eastside and in South Los Angeles and Pico Union. When streets are easier to navigate — whether on foot, or by bus or car — existing businesses are more likely to prosper, and new businesses are more likely to open. By improving the quality of life for people who life and work in the neighborhood, these projects foster community pride.
TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENT
Boosting sagging neighborhoods. One of our highest priorities is to invest in South Los Angeles and other project areas that have been consistently left behind in the City's cycles of prosperity, so that these communities can reclaim their economic vitality and neighborhood pride. To make this goal a reality, in August 2007 the CRA/LA Board of Commissioners approved the creation of the Land Acquisition Fund, which consists of revenue from land sales, leases, fees and other unrestricted funds.
Jump-starting new projects. With money from the Land Acquisition Fund, we have purchased strategic parcels for future development in project areas with limited resources. We will be able to use these land purchases to stimulate community growth — even in a declining real estate market. The Fund has become a key CRA/LA tool, enabling us to jump-start projects in South Los Angeles that have been stalled for decades.
BENEFITS OF REDEVELOPMENT
Thriving neighborhoods. Today, formerly blighted and neglected areas like Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood and Canoga Park, are growing and thriving, with new residents and businesses, and streets engineered for the convenience of pedestrians as well as buses and cars.
The 'multiplier' effect. Our development projects in the 32 project areas have created a "multiplier" effect, attracting an inflow of private investment. Building permits pulled in these communities — more than 3,700 in 2007 alone — show that our investment has leveraged more than $1 billion in private dollars. As a result, CRA/LA communities are enriched by sustainable developments, housing, jobs, retail and community services, and neighborhood amenities that include pedestrian-friendly streets and open space.
Looking to the future. Redevelopment will continue to play a major role in the growth and prosperity of Los Angeles in the coming years. We are unique among City agencies in our broad-based mission as well as in our ability to attract private investment for the greater good of our communities.
On behalf of the people of Los Angeles, we will continue to eliminate abandoned and unsafe properties, revitalize older neighborhoods with new development and new jobs, and increase the supply of affordable housing. We will continue to support high-quality urban design and architecture, and to seek out new ways of incorporating green urbanism in our projects.
Our vision, goals and strategic planning will give City residents and workers a better quality of life and a new feeling of pride in their community, for generations to come.
excerpts
OVERVIEW
Sixty years of revitalizing L.A. Established in 1948, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) is a public agency that helps Los Angeles neighborhoods become thriving and healthful places to live and work. Our goal is to eliminate slums and abandoned or unsafe properties, and revitalize economically depressed communities with new building projects and jobs.
The CRA/LA has led the construction of projects that have become beloved landmarks, including the signature skyline of Downtown Los Angeles. Today, redevelopment success stories can be seen throughout the City of Los Angeles. We bring new jobs to workers, build new housing for families, establish parks and open space for recreation, and support the development of the commercial centers that keep our City strong.
Meeting today's needs. Our current projects are keeping pace with the way people live now. For example, Hart Village in Canoga Park provides rental housing and an onsite daycare center for families with very low incomes. Wilshire Vermont Station in Koreatown offers rental units above shops and restaurants — plus direct access to the Metro Red Line.
Fostering community pride. We're also investing in infrastructure and streetscape improvement projects on the Eastside and in South Los Angeles and Pico Union. When streets are easier to navigate — whether on foot, or by bus or car — existing businesses are more likely to prosper, and new businesses are more likely to open. By improving the quality of life for people who life and work in the neighborhood, these projects foster community pride.
TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENT
Boosting sagging neighborhoods. One of our highest priorities is to invest in South Los Angeles and other project areas that have been consistently left behind in the City's cycles of prosperity, so that these communities can reclaim their economic vitality and neighborhood pride. To make this goal a reality, in August 2007 the CRA/LA Board of Commissioners approved the creation of the Land Acquisition Fund, which consists of revenue from land sales, leases, fees and other unrestricted funds.
Jump-starting new projects. With money from the Land Acquisition Fund, we have purchased strategic parcels for future development in project areas with limited resources. We will be able to use these land purchases to stimulate community growth — even in a declining real estate market. The Fund has become a key CRA/LA tool, enabling us to jump-start projects in South Los Angeles that have been stalled for decades.
BENEFITS OF REDEVELOPMENT
Thriving neighborhoods. Today, formerly blighted and neglected areas like Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, North Hollywood and Canoga Park, are growing and thriving, with new residents and businesses, and streets engineered for the convenience of pedestrians as well as buses and cars.
The 'multiplier' effect. Our development projects in the 32 project areas have created a "multiplier" effect, attracting an inflow of private investment. Building permits pulled in these communities — more than 3,700 in 2007 alone — show that our investment has leveraged more than $1 billion in private dollars. As a result, CRA/LA communities are enriched by sustainable developments, housing, jobs, retail and community services, and neighborhood amenities that include pedestrian-friendly streets and open space.
Looking to the future. Redevelopment will continue to play a major role in the growth and prosperity of Los Angeles in the coming years. We are unique among City agencies in our broad-based mission as well as in our ability to attract private investment for the greater good of our communities.
On behalf of the people of Los Angeles, we will continue to eliminate abandoned and unsafe properties, revitalize older neighborhoods with new development and new jobs, and increase the supply of affordable housing. We will continue to support high-quality urban design and architecture, and to seek out new ways of incorporating green urbanism in our projects.
Our vision, goals and strategic planning will give City residents and workers a better quality of life and a new feeling of pride in their community, for generations to come.
client
Community Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles (CRA/LA)
project
Annual report
audience
Public and private stakeholders, including the general public
goal
To provide a summary of the agency’s mission, recent achievements and current priorities.
Community Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles (CRA/LA)
project
Annual report
audience
Public and private stakeholders, including the general public
goal
To provide a summary of the agency’s mission, recent achievements and current priorities.