[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

The LA2050 grant supported Destination Crenshaw’s work on the development of I AM Park, one of five new pocket parks being constructed along the 1.3-mile Destination Crenshaw corridor. I AM Park was designed as a cultural green space and gathering site that uplifts Black history, art, and identity in the Crenshaw community. Its creation is central to Destination Crenshaw’s mission to build Black cultural and economic platforms that allow Black artists and businesses to thrive while strengthening local ownership and visibility.

The project’s progress has been significantly impacted by an unexpected pause in construction required by Metro and the City of Los Angeles, who initiated a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) environmental review as part of the land transfer process necessary for the site. The MND examination is a standard compliance measure under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), ensuring that the environmental impacts of the project are appropriately assessed and mitigated before construction can proceed. However, this review has temporarily halted all construction activities and delayed the project timeline beyond what was initially anticipated.

Although this development was not foreseen in the original grant proposal, the LA2050 funding has been crucial in maintaining project stability during this interim period. The grant allowed Destination Crenshaw to maintain staff capacity and coordinate with Metro, City agencies, and environmental consultants to advance the documentation required for MND approval. The organization has also remained in regular communication with community stakeholders and partners to provide updates on the process, reinforcing transparency and maintaining public confidence in the project.

The delay has reinforced one of the core principles of Destination Crenshaw’s strategic framework, Reparative Development, which prioritizes process integrity, community inclusion, and long-term sustainability over expediency. Rather than view the MND as an obstacle, the organization has treated it as an opportunity to ensure that I AM Park is constructed with the highest degree of environmental and cultural responsibility. This approach aligns with the organization’s broader commitment to anti-displacement and environmental justice within South Los Angeles, where large-scale public projects have often been implemented without sufficient accountability to residents or legacy businesses.

Although physical construction is paused, the foundational work completed through this grant ensures that I AM Park remains shovel-ready. The project’s design documents, public art plans, and interpretive concepts are all complete. Artist selections have been finalized, materials have been procured, and contractor scopes have been defined. The park’s planned features including green spaces, public art, and community gathering areas will advance Destination Crenshaw’s goal of transforming the corridor into a cultural destination and public space that reflects the history and future of Black Los Angeles. The project remains an integral part of the broader Destination Crenshaw initiative, which includes Sankofa Park and four other “pocket parks” that collectively add green space and cultural infrastructure to the community.

This experience has provided the organization with important lessons. Chief among them is the recognition that infrastructure and cultural projects of this scale require both flexibility and endurance. Even with strong planning and stakeholder alignment, projects situated on public land must often navigate extended regulatory timelines. Once construction resumes, I AM Park will proceed under the same vision to create a permanent, accessible, and culturally resonant public space that celebrates the identity and creativity of South Los Angeles.

In summary, the LA2050 grant played a crucial role in maintaining project continuity despite an unavoidable regulatory interruption. It allowed Destination Crenshaw to maintain control of the process, uphold its commitments to the community, and protect the project’s integrity as it undergoes environmental review. While construction delays are never ideal, this period has reinforced the organization’s capacity to manage complex, multi-agency projects and its resolve to ensure that every step of development serves the long-term health, culture, and prosperity of the Crenshaw community. I AM Park remains a cornerstone of that vision. Once the MND process concludes, Destination Crenshaw will be fully prepared to resume construction and deliver a park that reflects both resilience and respect for the community it represents.