Groups Sue To Prevent Development Of South LA's First Skyscraper

CRENSHAW (CBSLA.com) — South Los Angeles could soon have its first high-rise, but not everyone is on board with the plan.

"As a community, we would like to see new improvements and investment but not this type of investment," said Damien Goodman, the executive director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition.

"It's wildly out of character. It's going to further gridlock our streets and it's the type of development that we don't want to see in South LA," he said.

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition in conjunction with the Friends of the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative are jointly suing the Bay Area real estate developer, Carmel Partners, the Los Angeles
City Council, and city to stop the Cumulus Project as it's called.

"They're breaking the rules of the zoning," said Jill Stewart of the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative. "They did it in an underhanded way."

The project is planned on La Cienega between Washington and Jefferson boulevards.

The 30-story high-rise would include 1,200 residential units, stores, restaurants and office space.

"I don't think it's the right place to do it here," said Ana Tom, a neighbor, while one man said: "Traffic would be horrible. La Cienega is already bad."

But there are plenty of neighbors that like the sound of the new development and what it could add.

"It's going to add to the property value," said one neighbor.

The project also promises 1,700 construction jobs and 1,200 permanent jobs.

"Developers are running amok. It's whatever they want to make a quick buck," said Goodman.

CBS Los Angeles reached out to the City Attorney and Carmel Partners, the developer. Both said they couldn't comment on pending litigation.