Assignment #4- Blog Entry 2- Downtown Los Angeles

The gentrification of Downtown Los Angeles poses several different problems for developers and residents. Home to between seven to eight thousand homeless individuals, the renovation of the area continues to further displace and relocate the homeless individuals living in the area. While many developers argue that the development of the region will help to bring in more income and ensure that people do not only work in the area and then leave, many feel the the "renewal" of the area will merely result in poor individuals being moved further out and the wealthy who can afford lofts and condos moving in. The creation of new galleries, shopping centers, and coffee shops has not proved beneficial to many residents who feel that they are denied access to these establishments. Many of the individuals living in the area are not only homeless but also mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics, and families that have been hit hard by the economic downturn. The gentrification of the area has been slowed by organization such as LA CAN , a group dedicated to making sure developers include housing for the individuals living within the area and police harassment of residents is decreased. However, the development of the region experiencing "urban blight" is not only negative. Some benefits include maintenance of public transportation, display of art within the area and newer housing.The project already seems to be in the later stages in gentrification but many organizers have learned from past examples of "urban renewal" that it is important to make sure the  interests of residents are not overlooked. The increased police force, displacement of residents and loss of historic buildings continue to anger Angelenos who feel their opinions are not being heard. With such a diverse group of individuals living in the area it is important that forces join to reach a solution to the issues to ensure the riots in cities such as Watts and Detroit are not repeated.