Planning Commission votes yes on plans to revitalize Inglewood 

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (May 14, 2009) –The Inglewood Planning Commission voted on Monday evening to approve plans for Hollywood Park Tomorrow,  a 238-acre mixed-use district featuring retail stores, theaters, parks and homes. The project will come before the Inglewood City Council for a final vote on May 28.

Hollywood Park Tomorrow reflects the suggestions of Inglewood residents who have shared their priorities for open space, quality retail stores, restaurants, homes and community-serving uses in more than 100 public workshops over the past three years. Inglewood residents packed the City Council chambers on Monday night to show their support for the revitalization project and dozens of supporters stood up to deliver testimony in front of the commission.

 “We believe strongly in this project, and are gratified to receive a unanimous vote from the Planning Commission,” said Hollywood Park Tomorrow Executive Gerard McCallum.  “Hollywood Park Tomorrow will transform the heart of Inglewood by injecting $2 billion in direct investment that will result in beautiful public parks, a vibrant shopping district and a diverse array of residential options in three distinct new neighborhoods,” he said.

The investment is expected to create as many as 19,000 construction and permanent jobs.  The project team has been working with local organizations to develop job training programs that will benefit Inglewood residents.  Significantly, the project is expected to contribute over $100 million in tax increment to the Redevelopment Agency and provide annual tax revenues to Inglewood which will support general fund expenditures for services like police and fire protection, libraries, parks and other essential programs.

The Hollywood Park Tomorrow plan includes expansive parks for all Inglewood residents to enjoy, including a 10-acre central park that will feature a lake, waterfall, grass areas and walking trails.  The grand entrance to the property, at the corner of Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue, will lead to a shopping district that will include a 16-screen movie theater with stadium seating, sidewalk cafés and fine dining restaurants, as well as national brand retailers.

The residential neighborhoods, with a diverse array of single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, will also include multi-generational and affordable senior housing on site. Most of the homes are located on the perimeter of the parks. A network of walkways will connect all areas of Hollywood Park, making it easier for residents to leave their cars in the garage, and a new public library will be built for all residents to enjoy.

The Hollywood Park Tomorrow project team also plans on implementing privately-funded transportation improvements to ease traffic flow in the area.  This includes investment in long-overdue street improvements in the city, including signal synchronization at 19 intersections along major thoroughfares to help speed the flow of cars and street widening adjacent to the property along Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue.  

Plans also call for walkways that connect Hollywood Park to major transit corridors on Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue, creating a safer environment for pedestrians and allowing residents to easily access public transportation. 

The project team has committed to several environmental initiatives that promote long-term air and water quality.  Planned energy and water conservation standards will adhere to the federal government’s Energy Star guidelines for efficient homes. Other sustainable design elements include creating incentives to increase residential recycling, natural treatment of storm water run-off through the lake system and parks, and the use of drought-tolerant plants.

 “This project has the real potential to revitalize Inglewood and bring quality services and amenities in a way no other project ever has,” said Partners for Progress President and Forum Enterprises CEO Marc Little.  “The Hollywood Park Tomorrow team has created a consensus plan that provides something for everyone in Inglewood and for that, we are grateful.”