Despite pleas from many local nonprofits, the city of Inglewood is preparing to enter into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with a Delaware based company, for prime real estate at the intersection of Nutwood and La Brea Ave. Specifically 100 E. Nutwood.a building formerly owned by the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles.
On the regular city council agenda for this coming Tuesday, the city’s Economic and Community Development department is planning to dispose of city property to 317 La Brea LLC.
The plans call for a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) to be erected which will enhance housing options in close proximity to the soon be opened Crenshaw/LAX line a few blocks to the North of the site. This will kick off the revitalization of the La Brea corridor stretching from Hillcrest to Florence Ave. The most visible business on this corridor is the Savoy Entertainment Center.
Another TOD project is slated for the intersection of Crenshaw and Imperial where the city has blocked through access at the intersection of Crenshaw and 113th St. The city publicly states they closed it due to an inordinate amount of traffic collisions at the intersection when business owners inside the plaza complained at city council meetings it was hurting their business. Residents note more accidents take place at Crenshaw and 108th St. but that intersection hasn’t been shut down. Was this move by the city intentional and coordinated?
The sites property manager, NewMark Merrill Companies could not adequately articulate to 2UrbanGirls why they didn’t invest in their property, that houses Superior Grocery, Big 5, Chase Sprint and many small businesses, as they did their property across the street that recently opened 5 Guys, Chipotle and Planet Fitness.
Related: Inglewood Pursues New Transit-Oriented Development Plans
The proposed TOD site on LaBrea came under the control of the city after the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles was forced to sell it. It was alleged the organization had to settle a lawsuit, which surrounded sexual harassment claims brought against the organizations former Executive Director by his subordinate Melanie McDade. McDade is now employed as the Executive Assistant to Mayor Butts and City Manager Artie Fields.
Many in the city wonder if Mayor Butts was forced to increase McDade’s salary to $312,000 to avoid a similar situation.
For reasons unknown to this author, Economic Community Development Director Christopher Jackson has not signed off on the required staff report. That important task was left to another member of his staff.
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3 Comments
Wow, we have families that do not have means for basic necessities. That salary is outrageous. What a golden ticket. Inglewood needs more programs for the city to help black families out of proverty. Why no more affordable housing. The rent is too dang high. Schools do not have enough programs. The city council is over paid and you have families about to be on the streets. What ever happened to proud to be black❗️❗️I am ashamed of the blatant disrespect of our black individuals and families.
Excuse me! Is that a typo when you list the Executive Assistant’s salary at $312,000? And the Los Angeles County District Attorney has not said a word?
No typo and the LA County District Attorneys Office is silent.