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Jul 11
The Effort Continues to Save Wyvernwood
By Mariana Ramirez and Jessica Perez (Jessicas2cents
An air of worry and anticipation for the proposed redevelopment and relocation of thousands of families clouds a nice summer evening at Wyvernwood Apartments. A nearby playground is filled with children while residents slowly gather to begin the monthly Comité de la Esperanza resident meeting.
The comite, which started a few years back, is a joint effort between group leaders and active residents—sometimes going door to door— to inform others about the $2-billion redevelopment project proposed by Fifteen Group. The plan, opposed publicly by Councilmember Jose Huizar in April, consists of demolishing the existing garden-style residential complex and converting the property into high-rise apartment dwellings with an added commercial zone. With it come issues of preservation, density, rent-control and gentrification, to name a few.
Speakers at today’s meeting included leaders from the Comité de la Esperanza, a representative from the L.A. Conservancy, as well as lawyer Maria Elena Rodriguez, who announced that the Environmental Impact Report (data that that will influence the project’s development) would be released next month. Residents were also cautioned by the developer’s attempts to lure residents into relocating by offering $18,500 to qualifying residents— namely those who can provide a social security number. One of the organizers explained that after state taxes and moving costs, each relocating family may end up with a $10,000 reward.
The Comité de la Esperanza is composed mostly of resident adults; however there are very few youth involved. Raul Jaime, a 16-year-old student at Roosevelt High School, has been a Wyvernwood resident for 10 years. He has recently become involved in the Comité de la Esperanza’s efforts to save Wyvernwood.
“I do this, not just to get community service, but really because we want to save the apartments and the culture that has been here for years,” said Jaime. He hopes his leadership will strengthen the Comité de la Esperanza by bringing in a youth component, he says.
This Friday, July 8th at 8:30 pm, the Comité will host an outdoor movie night in an effort to create more unity amongst the youth at Wyvernwood. Other youth activities are being coordinated by Luis Salinas, a recent college graduate and lifetime Wyvernwood resident who has returned to give back to his community. Salinas plans to hold several university and college-bound activities during the month of August, geared towards informing the youth at Wyvernwood.
get the facts straight relocation money is not taxable since it’s not income and no social security # is needed to receive it. Verify your fact with LAHD before you report. That ugly uninhabittable place needs to be torn down and the criminals parents involved in the Comite need to get kicked out. They are fighting to preserve it in order for them to continue to contribute to all the crime.
Wow! And you call yourself “Somos BH”? I hope the community does not think the way you do. The reality is Wyvernwwod is apart of BH, and when you say coments that criminalize the people of Wyvernwood, you are also criminalizing the people of BH. You are becoming just as ignorant as those that do not live in BH that also criminalize BH. If by criminals you mean UC almni with a B.A. that is currently getting ready for Grad school, then I guess I am a criminal. Facts? The fact is that the owner almost lost the property of Wyvernwood because he could not pay it. The fact is the owner is debt with the property, he owes more than what he orginally bought it for. The fact is this project is going to cost about 2 billion and yet no Proforma has been shown, not even to the orgs that support him. So where is this money going to come from? How is he going to pay for the dislocation money? How is it that he is trying to do a 2 billion project when he is debt with the property? fact is relocation money needs to be put in income tax forms, which means they will be taxed, just like any money that is recieved in prices, or lotteries. Which is then taxed. Maybe, “Somos Wyverwood”, you should get informed well before speaking.
Correction, last sentence was meant for “Somos BH”, not “Somos Wyvernwood.”
This person must not live in Wyvernwood when it describes this place with such hateful thoughts about our community and our homes. Let me share some facts, this place is a place like no other where the summer nights are endless, children ride their bikes along the pavement, families sit outside with their children, children play soccer and we are fortunate to surround ourselves morning, day, and night with beautiful mother earth. There is no other place like it and we deserve to live here side by side with our neighbors of many years and the nature that surrounds us. This person needs to check their “facts.” Get it right!! Save Wyvernwood!!
SI ENREALIDAD LOS DUENOS SI QUISIERAN HABRIR TRABAJOS E INVERTIR EN ESTA COMUNIDAD PORQUE NO COMPRAN UN LOTE EN ESTA AREA DE BOYLE HEIGHS Y LO CONTRUYEN HASI NO TIENEN QUE DESTRUIR NUESTROS HOGARES Y DESTRUIR NUESTRA COMUNIDAD DE WYVERNWOOD