Community members raise concerns over the proposed Lorena Plaza Mixed-Use Development project. Photo by Art Torres
By Gus Ugalde
A small, but emotionally charged crowd came together at YouthBuild Boyle Heights Feb. 12 to express their concerns on the proposed Lorena Plaza Mixed-Use Development project.
The meeting was hosted by A Community of Friends, a non-profit affordable housing developer that is charged with developing the project on the northeast corner of 1st and Lorena streets, adjacent to El Mercado de Los Angeles.
The meeting was designed to introduce plans for the development of the project that includes mixed-use, retail and residential structures with parking facilities on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority property.
Emotions ran high from the beginning as one resident after another voiced their disapproval of the plan to Dora Leong Gallo, ACOF chief executive officer and moderator of the meeting.
Some of the concerns expressed by community members included traffic and parking issues, overpopulation, having residents with mental health issues moving into the community and that the MTA had promised a pocket-park on the site.
“I don’t want you to bring more people to an area that is already overpopulated. This is my home, I want to retire in peace,” said Art Fierros, 59-year resident of Boyle Heights.
Read more at Boyle Heights Beat