By Spring 2020, a 1.3-mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard between 60th Street and Vernon Avenue will be transformed into an open-air museum celebrating Los Angeles' African-American community.  Now, one of the city's most powerful elected officials is looking to extend that vision even farther north.

The project, called Destination Crenshaw, was borne out of the controversial decision to run a segment of the under-construction Crenshaw/LAX light rail line at street level - a move that was billed as a cost-saving measure, though it was opposed by many residents in the surrounding community.  In response, community leaders conceived of a plan to line the at-grade section of the Crenshaw Line with public art celebrating black culture, while also adding new open spaces including a public amphitheater, 11 pocket parks and parklets, and new street trees.

Now, noting that the project "enjoys Broad public and private support," City Council President Herb Wesson is pushing for a northern extension of Destination Crenshaw.  In a motion introduced yesterday, Wesson calls for the "impressive vision and undertaking" to be continued north to the terminus of the Crenshaw/LAX Line at Obama Boulevard - freshly named in honor of the 44th President of the United States.

“The Crenshaw corridor is the hub of our City’s rich African-American history and culture,” said Wesson in a statement. “It is only fitting to expand Destination Crenshaw, a project chronicling this rich history and culture, north to Obama Boulevard in honor of our first African-American President.”

Wesson's motion has been referred to the City Clerk for placement on a future City Council agenda.

Destination Crenshaw is being designed by Perkins + Will and Studio MLA, and is expected to open in advance of the Crenshaw/LAX Line.

For an in-depth look at the history and development of Destination Crenshaw, see Sahra Sulaiman's coverage at Streetsblog.