FAQs
Download the English-language one-sheet.
Download the Spanish-language one-sheet.
How will The Village at USC benefit you?
The Village at USC redevelopment is the largest economic development project to be proposed in South Los Angeles. It will be an economic engine for the City and County of Los Angeles, generating 12,000 new jobs (4,000 construction-related, 8,000 permanent throughout the development area), and much-needed funds. In addition, The Village will provide housing for USC students and faculty adjacent to campus, reducing traffic in the neighborhoods and freeing up substantial housing in the community for local residents.
If you live in the community, you can shop at The Village, or you may find a job at The Village through USC’s Local Hiring Program. You or a family member may even work on the construction of The Village. Once the Village is built, you’ll be able to shop or dine at The Village with friends and family, catch a movie, or simply stroll through the beautiful open spaces. These are just a few of the ways The Village can benefit you.
What will the new Village look like?
The Village at USC will be architecturally compatible with the buildings on the University Park campus, with Italian Romanesque elements incorporated into the design. As a result, The Village will look like an extension of the University Park campus, with beautiful pedestrian walkways and open spaces throughout. The pedestrian paths will be designed to invite the community and public in to The Village to browse, shop and enjoy the space.
Can anyone live in The Village?
The housing units at The Village at USC are being designed for USC students, faculty and staff. For some time, the community has been asking the university to provide more student housing. The Village does just that. The City’s Draft Environmental Impact Report estimates that by including student housing in The Village project, more than 900 housing units in the surrounding community previously occupied by students can be returned to community use.
Will it be affordable enough for students to move out of non-university owned housing?
Student housing in The Village will be priced at the same rate as on-campus housing. Additionally, the university provides housing packages for students that demonstrate financial need. Since this will be university-owned housing, financial aid packages will enable students to afford housing at The Village.
Who owns the land? Is USC buying additional land?
USC owns the land that is being redeveloped into The Village with one exception: Fire Station #15 on Jefferson Boulevard. We anticipate that the fire station operations will be relocated to another site nearby and The Village will be built around and incorporate the historic fire station. USC does not need to buy additional land to build The Village at USC.
Will public funds be used for The Village at USC project?
Public funds will not be used for the project.
Is the Jessie L. Terry Manor Senior Center part of the proposed development?
The senior center is shown in the Specific Plan boundary map but it is not included in USC’s development plans.
Will any neighborhood residents be relocated?
No. Only USC-owned student housing will eventually be demolished and replaced, and the university will provide for alternate student housing before demolition occurs. The Los Angeles Fire Department has indicated a strong desire to move its Fire Station #15 operations to a different location nearby because the current station is small and access to Jefferson Boulevard is challenging for the department.
What does the City’s review process entail?
The City’s review of the project began with a process dictated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This process includes the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), which identifies all significant environmental impacts of the project and possible mitigation measures to reduce the significant impacts. This process also allows for public review and comment on the document.
Next, a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) was prepared and submitted to a variety of city agencies for review and public hearings. Once the EIR is certified by the city, the CEQA process is complete and the city may consider and issue permits for the construction of the project.
Where is USC in the process?
The city released the DEIR on May 27, 2010, and it was circulated for 60 days of public review. The public review period closed on July 12, 2010. The city has prepared the Final EIR and it was released to the public on July 5, 2011 for a series of public hearings prior to certification.
When would the project be built?
Construction of The Village at USC is anticipated to start in mid-2013 at the earliest. The project would be built in a minimum of three phases over a number of years, with each phase taking approximately 24 months to complete.
How do I voice my comments or concerns? How do I get involved?
We want to hear from you and we look forward to your involvement! Comments may be submitted here or you may also call the USC Office of Community Partnerships at 213.743.5262.
What will be the price range of the shops and restaurants?
There will be a wide range high quality, affordable retail at The Village so that all members of the community can shop and dine here.
What will happen to the businesses in the current University Village?
Many businesses that are in good standing will have an opportunity to relocate to The Village at USC. During the construction period, we hope that many of the businesses will relocate temporarily in the immediate area.
What retail will be in the new development?
We don’t know the exact retailers that will be located in The Village yet, but we are very excited about the range and types of retailers that have expressed an interest in The Village. We anticipate that there will be a mix of sit-down restaurants, shops, and service providers (dry cleaners, hair salons, shoe repair, etc.), as well as a food court, a grocery store, a nail shop, and a bookstore — all of the shops that you would want and expect in your community.
How will Jefferson Boulevard be affected?
Jefferson currently has four travel lanes: two east bound, two west bound, and a center turn lane along portions of the street. These portions of Jefferson will remain unchanged. What will change is the removal of the limited metered street parking along portions of Jefferson in order to accommodate new on-street bicycle lanes and widened sidewalks. This will have the effect of narrowing Jefferson without eliminating any travel lanes. We also plan to add trees and lighting to encourage more pedestrian traffic on Jefferson.
Will the changes on Jefferson create more traffic?
The changes will not create more traffic because only metered parking will be removed.
Will there be enough parking?
The Village will have adequate parking to meet demand.
Will I have to pay for parking?
This depends on where you park and for how long. If you are visiting The Village to shop or dine, you are not likely to be charged for parking. The parking at The Village is designed to serve those visiting The Village and not those attending classes at the university or living at The Village. Parking for students attending classes and for residents of The Village will be provided elsewhere on university property.
Download the English-language one-sheet.
Download the Spanish-language one-sheet.
