Which Way, L.A.?
Can USC Grow without Devouring the Neighborhood?
USC is planning to develop 35 acres of eateries, shops, a multi-plex, faculty office space and student housing. Will gentrification push locals out or do them a favor?
College towns have weathered the recession and housing collapse more than the rest of America, but the neighborhood around USC is an exception. Now USC is planning what local officials call the biggest project in South Los Angeles in a generation — 35 acres, complete with restaurants, shops, a six-screen theater, faculty office space and student housing. Will gentrification push local residents out, or is the university — often accused of ignoring its neighbors — be doing them a favor? Also, budget cuts and dependency court: the impact on families. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the continuing impact of Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns just one year ago. What's the future of nuclear power?
Banner image: Artist's rendering of USC's proposed New Town Square
In this episode
3 storiesCan USC Grow without Devouring the Neighborhood?
Last October, a community meeting on the expansion of the University of Southern California drew 500 people. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, the City Planning Department will hold hearings on plans for a 35-acre complex across Jefferson Boulevard, the northern boundary of the campus today.
Read the story18 minKCET Peeks inside a Cash-Strapped Los Angeles Court
The governor and legislature are slashing the budget of the third branch of state government, leading to justice delayed, which means justice denied. KCET's SoCal Connected found that's especially true for families in dependency court .
Read the story8 minJapan's March 11 Earthquake and the Future of Nuclear Energy
A year ago yesterday, Japan experienced multiple disasters: an earthquake, tsunami and the meltdowns of three nuclear reactors at the Fukishima-Daichi plant in the Northeastern part of the country.
Read the story27 min