The Gateway District, estimated to cost nearly $315 million, will develop approximately 59 acres east of the Azalea Shopping Center. The western area of the plan is currently mainly industrial, including Maersk, a distribution and freight-forwarding company, and Shultz Steel.
During the meeting, the city will present a Draft Area Plan and zoning updates for the Gateway District to encourage existing businesses and properties to evolve into spaces that better serve people traveling on foot or by public transportation. The goal is to create an area where people can easily walk between the transit station, businesses, homes, and public spaces.
PLANNED LIGHT METRO RAIL STATION
This new plan will also align with LA Metro’s latest designs for a local station on the Southeast Gateway Line, which will connect communities from Artesia to Downtown LA. The station planned near Firestone Boulevard at Atlantic Avenue will be on an elevated track and is expected to be one of nine stations along the line. The light rail line is planned to pass through the unincorporated area of Florence-Firestone and the cities of Vernon, Huntington Park, Bell, Cudahy, South Gate, Downey, Paramount, Bellflower and Cerritos.
The City of South Gate will host another Gateway District Open House this week to inform residents about plans for new multimillion-dollar developments around a proposed South Gate light rail station at the intersection of Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.
Proposed new buildings in the Gateway District may include stores, restaurants, housing, and parking facilities. Some projects could integrate businesses and housing within the same building or property.
Additionally, the city aims to design buildings that face sidewalks and public spaces, featuring doors and windows that enhance street activity and visibility. This design approach is intended to encourage walking and improve public safety by allowing individuals inside buildings to see what is happening outside, according to planners.
Another objective is to facilitate the development of larger, interconnected projects by encouraging property owners to combine smaller lots when appropriate. The plan also outlines the need for better walking routes and higher-quality building designs for both new constructions and improvements to existing properties.
The public meeting will be held on Wed. Oct.14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Banquet Room of the Henry C. Gonzalez Auditorium at South Gate Park, located at 4900 Southern Avenue.
This will be the second open house on the Gateway District held this year. The first took place Feb. 18.
For more information, please email John F. Signo at jsigno@sogate.org or call (323) 563-9569.
--The Southeast Sun News Services