Leimert Park redevelopment focuses on the neighborhood's roots in arts and culture
Rewind to the mid-1900s. Leimert Park, a historical Los Angeles neighborhood, was undergoing major demographic shifts. Wealthy, white residents were skipping town as African Americans from other parts of the nation moved into the L.A. plaza, a shift that resulted in a cultural revolution and renaissance for Afro-centric art in the city.
Today, Leimert Park is going through another phase of redevelopment. The once vibrant jazz town and art center is home to families, the homeless and old businesses. The Leimert Park 20/20 Vision Initiative is a community-centered program that’s well on its way to improving the conditions of the area.
“One of our main goals is to take advantage of the economic resources that are coming into the neighborhood,” 20/20 Vision Initiative Stakeholder Terry Scott said. “We have a subway stop coming in 2019. We have the rehab of the Vision Theatre. [So] there’s funding available for this.”
20/20 Vision: The 86-year-old theatre has been home to iconic art and performances.
L.A. has been experiencing similar redevelopments in several areas such as Echo Park, Downtown and South Park. The changes in these regions has received a lot of pushback because of the resulting gentrification. Scott says the Leimert Park initiative is working against a negative impact of reconstruction: displacement.
“There’s a lot of distrust when it comes to development, especially [with] people of color. So there’s a weariness of who’s doing what and who’s benefitting from it,” he said. “Our aim is to be as transparent as we can.”
Many community members are included in the decisions that the initiative stakeholders make. Scott says they encourage Leimert Park residents to engage with the planning, so that locals are the ones who benefit from the changes.
“We’re hoping to keep it culturally intact, based in African American heritage,” he said. “And we want to help the merchants who are here take advantage of the changes that are happening and the resources that are coming into the area.”
Kay Benjamin is a nine-year resident of the Leimert Park area. She says she’s noticed some changes in the racial makeup of the surrounding area.
“I think it’s called gentrification. I’ve seen it because I hadn’t had white neighbors before. I do now,” Benjamin said.
Even though there have been some adjustments in who is a part of the neighborhood, she said she believes the African American heritage of the area will survive this redevelopment.
“I do want this to be Afro-Centric—stay that. I believe it’s here,” Benjamin said. “I don’t think that can go away because the spirit of Africa is here.”
Scott said the optimism that residents like Benjamin have is a result of community members’ engagement with the changes.
“This is the most I’ve ever seen a community organize,” he said. “We still have time here to see what we can do with the program, [and] with the resources that are available, [to] make sure folks still stay in their homes and enjoy the resources that are coming in.”
One major goal of the program is to help storeowners maintain their businesses, or start new ones in this changing environment. Anthony Jolly is opening up a coffee shop in the plaza. He said he chose Leimert Park because it is at the intersection of advancement and an art renaissance.
“We want to kind of compile a group of young artists from all over the Los Angeles area and Southern California—showcase their work here, present an art crawl and an art destination, along with the heritage and history of the Leimert Park music scene,” he said. “We think art is the future for Leimert Park.”
Jolly said he is excited for the redevelopment, and that he is glad progress is a present variable in this neighborhood.
“To me change is good. Progression is good, no matter how it is. I hope that the community kind of grows to a state of self-sufficiency, efficient and open to business and new families,” he said. “I’m really hoping for positivity from the change.”
Scott said Leimert Park is embracing its roots in the arts, and that investors are even looking forward to promoting the music and murals on streets.
“Funders actually realize there’s a need for cultural programming, for creative place-making and equity and inclusion,” he said. “There’s a huge role the arts can play in that.”
LeiMORE Park: The new plans aim to encourage businesses and the arts.
Needless to say, Leimert Park is tightknit community. Benjamin said she’d never choose to live anywhere else.
“I probably won’t move out because I feel God placed me [here],” she said. “I can live in L.A. because of Leimert Park. It makes it possible for me to be here.”
