CRA Proposes Keeping 4 Housing Projects

In an effort to make the proposed Watts redevelopment project more acceptable to local residents, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has recommended preserving the four Los Angeles Public Housing Projects located in the proposed revitalization area.

The four projects--Hacienda Village, Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens and Imperial Courts--contain 2,448 apartments and account for nearly two-thirds of all rental housing in the 2,000-acre project area. On Wednesday, Mayor Tom Bradley said he would oppose any redevelopment plan that would displace homeowners. Asked about renters, however, Bradley said the question of their displacement would be decided by the community during the project’s planning phase. On Thursday, a spokesman for the mayor said that Bradley’s comments about renters referred only to people who are not in public housing.

Bradley also announced Wednesday that the first phase of the Watts project, which is the largest redevelopment project ever proposed in Los Angeles, would be postponed at least six months to allow more residents to become involved in the planning process.