The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has agreed to set aside $2 million for a public transit plaza at a mixed-use development at Exposition and Crenshaw boulevards in exchange for the developer’s promise to more than double the amount of affordable housing.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended striking the deal with Watt Companies and the West Angeles Community Development Corporation. The $2 million would come out of Proposition A transit funds earmarked for his Second District.
“Crenshaw Crossing”–a proposed mixed-use, transit hub development on Metro- and county-owned lots at Exposition and Crenshaw—is designed to include 40,000 square feet of retail space, a 25,000-square foot grocery store and 400 total housing units above the store. Eighty-one affordable units were originally proposed, but Ridley-Thomas pushed the development to increase that to 200 units.
“We have but one opportunity to get the development on this catalytic corner where the Crenshaw and Exposition Lines meet right. And right means building a model transit-oriented community with high-quality housing that the community that calls the Crenshaw Corridor home can afford,’’ Ridley-Thomas said.
