UPDATE! Share Your Voice - New Housing Construction at the Metro Yard

Dear Neighbors,

As you may be aware, the MTA (Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Agency) owns the large staging yard located at the north end of Windsor Village. It runs from Lorraine Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevard along Wilshire Boulevard and covers about 79,000 square feet.

From WVCC
Stephen Sapunor informed Windsor Village residents that Metro picked a developer for the MTA Crenshaw Yard Site. The selected developer-Abode Communities- proposes 196 units with 135 parking spaces. It includes 4,500 sf of community space; 1,500 sf of office space; 14,700 sf of public space; 6,500 sf of office space; and 250,000 sf of open space.

Please pass this email to other Windsor Village residents to let them know the proposed project will start in 2026. Please carbon copy me so I can send all future information on this project.

Besides the MTA Crenshaw Yard site, 800 Lorraine and the Rite-Aid site will be developed. But it seems that the MTA Crenshaw Yard might develop first. The most impacted are the Lorraine residents because we have three projects, practically in a row, a block away from each other. Imagine what it will happen if all projects happen one after another or simultaneously. As it is, we already have parking issues and increased traffic flow thru Lorraine from impatient drivers cutting through to avoid the traffic gridlock on eastbound Wilshire to southbound Crenshaw because of the three bus stops on the intersection of Wilshire and Crenshaw.

We need to hold a meeting to brainstorm ideas to get CD5 staff to help us protect Lorraine from all the anticipated chaos/nightmare while the construction phase and the impact after construction happens.

PRIORITIES
• Full compliance with Park Mile Plan
• Move parking entrance off Lorraine or worst-case erect roadblock south of entrance, effectively closing off Lorraine Blvd at Wilshire.
• Retain sound wall. Provide detailed sound mitigation plan and remedies
• Retain existing mature trees on southwest side of properties, as shown in preliminary drawings.

The voice of the community can play an important role in shaping the project. If you would like to be part of a working group representing the interest of Windsor Village as this takes shape, please send fellow neighbor, Jeff Healy, email of interest, including your phone number to jeffhealy22@gmail.com.

More about the Walnut Crossing below (from the developer website: https://abodecommunities.org/communities/walnutcrossing/)

Located at the bustling intersection of Wilshire & Crenshaw Boulevards, this highly anticipated mixed-use residential community balances density and complements surrounding uses while prioritizing affordable housing and community spaces. A 6,200 SF flex-use transit plaza features open space connecting two bus stops and framing the main residential entry and amenities, including a shared community room that may be reserved for community events.

The project concept honors the Park Mile Specific Plan, with boulevard-scale massing along Wilshire stepping down to a neighborhood scale to the south. At the southern elevation, preserved Walnut trees and new landscaping shield single-family homes from the multifamily residential above. Separation between project buildings creates a scale that echoes the grain of the adjacent neighborhood. Ground-level articulation and materials selection play an integral role connecting the site to the neighborhood and respond to the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone.

One level of subterranean parking is accessed from Crenshaw, with a small visitor lot along Lorraine. Active transportation improvements include bike parking, Metro bikeshare, scooter corrals, bike lockers, bike repair station, widened sidewalks, two bus shelters, and extended bus bays.

A Joint Development Project in Partnership with Residential Program

196 affordable rental homes
• 69 one-bedroom
• 76 two-bedroom
• 49 three-bedroom
• 2 manager units
• https://abodecommunities.org/communities/walnutcrossing/