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By Tammye McDuff
Downey released the official press statement [August 10th] acknowledging the redevelopment of 70 acres on the South Rancho Los Amigos Property.
After more than thirty years of disuse, including a 10-year master planning process, Downey City officials announced that Los Angeles County will begin redevelopment to one of the most underdeveloped urban parcels in California. City Manager Gilbert Livas noted,” This took years to get off the ground and is a major accomplishment. It is the largest under developed parcels of land west of the Mississippi,” Livas added, “It will be a $468 million dollar investment by the County, and would not have been accomplished without the efforts of City Council, Community members and our local AYSO youth organization.”
On August 9, 2016, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the multi-million development project on the 70-acre South Rancho Los Amigos Campus that will include the consolidation of several county departments and the development of a 15 acre regional sports center. This major investment by the County will help bring good, quality jobs to the City, and generate significant economic activity both during construction and after the project is complete.
The site will be the future home of an environmentally-friendly light rail line. “This is a major accomplishment for Downey,” said Mayor Alex Saab. “Our City has worked very hard over the past ten years to encourage the redevelopment of this property, which complements our economic development efforts throughout the city and specifically in South Downey.” It is exactly what the City needs to keep sports local.
Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Vasquez also expressed his excitement over this investment by the County, “Yesterday was a historic day for our City – one that will be cemented in Downey’s legacy for many generations to come. Thank you to all of those involved in making this project a reality for our community, from past Downey Mayors and City staff to elected officials in our neighboring cities including South Gate, Bellflower, and Paramount, thank you for your support for the regional sports park. ”
“We’re excited for the opportunity the redevelopment of South Rancho will bring, not only economically, but also for our local youth,” commented Council Member Roger Brossmer, “We appreciate the efforts of local youth athletes who came to the Supervisor’s meeting and spoke about the need for this regional park.”
Council Member Sean Ashton added, “I support this project because it is the right thing to do for the children of Downey and the Gateway Region. The Council will work closely with the County of Los Angeles to finalize the specifics in regards to the construction of this state of the art, regional sports complex.”
Saab added, “That entire area has been shut down for such a long time, the buildings are closed and it has just been wasting away. “ Over the years City Council has tried to encourage the County to take action and after much effort and with the support of Supervisor Don Knabe, funding has been secured to develop a portion of the property. “It really falls in line with all that we are trying to accomplish in our City,” adds Saab.
The Board of Supervisors approved the capital improvement project August 9th and no details have been given as to a construction timeline. The next step will be to negotiate and then sign an MOU on the sports complex, which city staff anticipates happening this fall.
