City Councilwoman Lends Her Support in Efforts to Redevelop Jordan Downs 

Jordan Downs residents and people from the surrounding community gathered at the Jordan Downs Recreation center on February 28 for the first Community meeting to discuss the Master Planning portion of the redevelopment project.  This is one of several community sessions with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), Jordan Downs Community Advisory Committee (JD CAC), and WRT-Solomon, the Master Planning Consulting Group.

JD CAC members and the Consulting group used power point slides to give a project overview and shared pictures from other redeveloped sites as examples. “Stop asking when change is going to happen; change is within us,” said JD CAC member John Hernandez.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn who supports the project encouraged residents to be involved, saying she will talk about this great effort when she meets with the new HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan, during her upcoming trip to Washington D.C. “Working together is what makes this country great…we need you to be involved,” said Hahn.

After the presentation the residents broke into 5 focus groups for a brainstorming session. The idea behind these sessions is to engage the residents and promote participation so HACLA and the master planning group understand the needs and wishes of the residents. Some of the items included in the “wish list” - safety and a need for a clean neighborhood. The importance of more open space, parks, playgrounds, parenting classes and vocational training were also expressed as vital aspects for the redevelopment.

HACLA President and CEO Rudolf C. Montiel noted that community meetings like this one are an important element in the redevelopment process and HACLA encourages all residents to be involved and voice their ideas and needs. As in all of its public meetings, HACLA provides translation services during these meetings for bilingual speakers.

Jordan Downs public housing complex is located in Watts. Originally, developed as semi-permanent housing for industry defense workers, shipyard workers and World War II workers, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles converted what is now known as Jordan Downs into public housing in the early 1950’s as one of the last public housing complexes to open in Los Angeles.

The goal of the redevelopment of Jordan Downs is to create a vibrant urban village that the residents and community stakeholders will begin to help plan at Community Workshops like this one in the hopes that the project will serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of Watts. 

 

 

 

Photos:

1. HACLA President & CEO addresses the attendees

2. Councilwoman Janice Hahn talks to the residents

3. Residents break info focus groups

4. Attendees looking at the display boards