A stretch of Normandie in South Los Angeles could be poised for a streetscape improvement project, according to a motion introduced last week by City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
"Normandie Avenue serves as an important gateway and thoroughfare into and throughout South Los Angeles," writes Harris-Dawson. "However, years of neglect have left Normandie Avenue in desperate needs of repair and improvements. The wide, weed-strewn roadway with asphalt medians continues to recall decades of disinvestment that prioritized car traffic over residents who navigate the street by alternative means."
In response, the proposed "Normandie Beautiful Streetscape Project" proposes to create a "safer, healthier, more beautiful and sustainable community where neighbors can safely walk, bike, and drive." Potential improvements include roadway reconstruction, traffic mitigation tools, pedestrian, and other multi-modal enhancements, according to the motion.
The proposed funding mechanism for the project is tax-exempt CRA/LA Excess Bond Proceeds, which would be pulled from the Normandie 5 Redevelopment Project Area, which spans Normandie between Adams and Jefferson Boulevards. The total amount of funding available is currently unclear.
Harris-Dawson's motion calls for all remaining CRA/LA bond proceeds from the redevelopment project area to be used for the streetscape project, subject to City Council approval and a report from the Economic and Workforce Development Department.
The motion has been referred to the City Council's Economic Development Committee for consideration.
- Adams-Normandie (Urbanize LA)