As crime and drugs recede, MacArthur Park is going upscale, and many residents feel left behind (McArthur: rent)

[jm1982]

Interesting article about the MacArthur Park /Westlake area . Not surprising the neighborhood is getting new development given the location .

I say the area going upscale is a good thing . Gentrification always means lower crime for an area .

As much as people say they want the area to remain affordable to poor people the reality is it’s the poor people that are responsible for a lot of the crime . No , I didn’t say every poor person is committing crime but you aren’t going to see higher income folks committing street crime just not worth it .

This area was once upon a time in L.A history an elegant nice area . Hopefully some of that comes back .

Too bad these socialist housing “advocates” want to slow down or stop the neighborhood from getting better .
Hopefully they don’t win the battle .

As crime and drugs recede, MacArthur Park is going upscale, and many residents feel left behind

[Exitus Acta Probat]

That's some good news. It's my understanding that once upon a time ago that was actually a nice area.

[socal88]

See the Curbed LA below showing how beautiful McArthur Park (initially named Westlake Park) was in the early 20th century, hosting concerts and miniature boat races.

https://la.curbed.com/2018/1/19/1688...history-photos

The unfortunate part is that once Wilshire Blvd. was extended through the park, its allure began to decline and then sadly descended into a drug haven by the 1980s.

I understand that for most residents it's probably difficult to reconcile the beneficial aspects of gentrification such as crime reduction and then the unfortunate reality of rising rents. But from the outside, the bottom line is that supply and demand dynamics are at play and if new development ushers in improvements in the Westlake area that make the area more attractive and reduce crime, it's hard to say no to that.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by socal88

See the Curbed LA below showing how beautiful McArthur Park (initially named Westlake Park) was in the early 20th century, hosting concerts and miniature boat races.

https://la.curbed.com/2018/1/19/1688...history-photos

The unfortunate part is that once Wilshire Blvd. was extended through the park, its allure began to decline and then sadly descended into a drug haven by the 1980s.

I understand that for most residents it's probably difficult to reconcile the beneficial aspects of gentrification such as crime reduction and then the unfortunate reality of rising rents. But from the outside, the bottom line is that supply and demand dynamics are at play and if new development ushers in improvements in the Westlake area that make the area more attractive and reduce crime, it's hard to say no to that.

Yeah of course nobody wants to see their rent go up but like you said it’s the reality of living in a place like America that has private property ownership and has a capitalistic system .

Those that live in rent control buildings which I’m sure is most of the buildings in that area those building are older get big payouts .

In other states they wouldn’t be so lucky . They can take that money and use it to actually move to an affordable place .

I don’t think the priority should be to make sure everyone gets to stay in the neighborhood despite what they can pay . Of course that’s what the politicians say because it’s the politically correct thing to say , but they know it’s not realistic so they are just being dishonest .

This does more harm than good as it gives people the false hope of “affordable housing coming soon “

Some people might get that but I’ll be like winning a lotto .

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by socal88

See the Curbed LA below showing how beautiful McArthur Park (initially named Westlake Park) was in the early 20th century, hosting concerts and miniature boat races.

https://la.curbed.com/2018/1/19/1688...history-photos

The unfortunate part is that once Wilshire Blvd. was extended through the park, its allure began to decline and then sadly descended into a drug haven by the 1980s.

I understand that for most residents it's probably difficult to reconcile the beneficial aspects of gentrification such as crime reduction and then the unfortunate reality of rising rents. But from the outside, the bottom line is that supply and demand dynamics are at play and if new development ushers in improvements in the Westlake area that make the area more attractive and reduce crime, it's hard to say no to that.

It was such a beautiful place back then, like quite a few other areas at the time.

Can't wait for the cognitive dissonance of the "But there's always been crime in L.A., dontcha know...hyuk hyuk..." crowd to weigh in here.