WEST ATHENS WESTMONT EIFD REPORT

April 14, 2023

FIRST DRAFT OUTLINE

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SUMMARY:

The economic and land use goals of West Athens/Westmont Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District are to retain and expand small businesses, increase employment opportunities, secure additional funding for job training programs, promote economic revitalization, incorporate safety and aesthetic design standards in development projects, increase cooperation between public and private sectors, develop an adequate infrastructure capacity, preserve and improve the residential character of the community, reduce the allowable density of multi-family residential areas, formulate design review standards, foster economic revitalization in commercial and industrial areas, create opportunities for increased employment for area residents, exploit increased access opportunities associated with the Century Freeway and light rail station, provide land for clustered commercial development, ensure land use patterns consistent with the circulation network and availability of public facilities, balance social, cultural and economic needs with environmental considerations in land allocation, ensure land uses which contribute to social, cultural and economic diversity of the community, encourage a rational sequence for future development based on projected community needs.

Additionally West Athens/Westmont is aiming to address the importance of technology and  create a TECH HUB in Southern California by building high tech data centers as well as providing financing for tech businesses such as tech schools and cloud infrastructure. Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and its global importance and influence cannot be overstated. Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate, work, learn, and live. It has enabled us to connect with people from all over the world, access vast amounts of information, and create new products and services that have improved our lives in countless ways. Technology has also had a profound impact on the global economy, creating new industries and jobs while transforming existing ones. In short, technology is essential for progress in today’s world. Solar power and renewable energy will play optimal part in the West Athens-Westmont EIFD.

To strengthen existing viable commercial centers through store front renovation programs and safety design techniques tailored for high crime areas will also be encouraged. Clean light industrial development in an industrial park environment will also be encouraged to generate revenue.

As an alternative, I can present the information in the draft this way:

- Retain and expand small businesses

- Increase employment opportunities

- Secure additional funding for job training programs

- Promote economic revitalization

- Incorporate safety and aesthetic design standards in development projects

- Increase cooperation between public and private sectors

- Develop an adequate infrastructure capacity

- Preserve and improve the residential character of the community

- Reduce the allowable density of multi-family residential areas

- Formulate design review standards

- Foster economic revitalization in commercial and industrial areas

- Create opportunities for increased employment for area residents

- Exploit increased access opportunities associated with the Century Freeway and light rail station

- Provide land for clustered commercial development

- Ensure land use patterns consistent with the circulation network and availability of public facilities

- Balance social, cultural, and economic needs with environmental considerations in land allocation

- Ensure land uses which contribute to social, cultural, and economic diversity of the community

- Encourage a rational sequence for future development based on projected community needs

In the next draft update of this report, we can begin to consider the global emerging markets and what they are doing to enhance their standard of living and position West Athens-Westmont in that class. E&M, technology, and other viable economic pursuits will be researched and included and analyzed for how they can be accommodated in the West Athens-Westmont Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District.

What I want to point out is the HUGE difference in what the “GOALS” of our Community Report stated in 1990 and the plans of the various other EIFDs. To illustrate this, I have included a few images and text examples: