USC's $1.1 Billion Makeover Halted Over Fears of Displacement

A massive $1.1 billion plan to develop residential and retail uses on land adjacent to the University of Southern California's South L.A. campus was halted by a committee of the Los Angeles City Council this week over concerns about displacement.

1 minute read

August 23, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


USC's plan to revamp a faded shopping center near its campus in South Los Angeles into student housing and retail space was met with protests this week at a Los Angeles City Council land-use committee hearing, reports

Although many speakers at the hearing voiced overall support for the project, which has been nine years in the making, Saillant notes that "representatives of UNIDAD, a coalition
of community, labor and faith groups, told the panel that they believed
that USC students would continue to live in nearby off-campus units and
the school was not offering enough money to make up for the loss of that
low-income housing."

"USC disputes that the project would displace anyone," writes Saillant. "One study showed
that the project would have the opposite effect, returning to the
community 900 privately-owned off-campus housing units now leased by
students."

"After listening to three hours of debate, the Planning and Land Use
Management Committee asked for more information about how other major
universities have handled community concerns during major upgrades -
including fears that low-income residents could be displaced."

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit