Proposed Mixed-Use Project Near BMO Stadium Appealed by LAFC

DFH Architects

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) lodged a formal objection with the City of Los Angeles regarding a proposed mixed-use residential development at 3801 S. Grand Avenue in Historic South-Central. This project, proposed by property owner Hamid Razipour, is situated just a few blocks east of LAFC's BMO Stadium, and it involves the construction of a seven-story mixed use building that will house 40 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments, including four affordable units. Additionally, it will tout 1,981 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and podium parking for 94 vehicles.

The appeal by LAFC came shortly after Planning officials approved the project at the end of August. LAFC's appeal argues that the project should not have been granted a Class 32 exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act and questions the unusually short four-month period between submission and approval, which happened without public notification.

One concern raised in the appeal pertains to Razipour's proposal for another mixed-use project located at 3851 S. Grand Avenue. This smaller development is designed to have 12 apartments and ground-floor commercial uses. LAFC's letter contends that when considering both projects together, there may be unexpected impacts related to air quality, noise, and nearby historic structures.

Besides the vintage street lights and two vintage residential hotels on Grand Avenue, the appeal emphasizes the proximity of the projects to the Memorial Coliseum sign located at 3843 S. Grand Avenue. This sign is a well-known landmark for those traveling on the 110 freeway. A historical resources survey conducted in 2012 for South Los Angeles suggested that the sign might be eligible for local historic listing, although it might not meet the criteria for listing on the National or California registers.

Images included with the appeal illustrate that the proposed apartment buildings, if constructed, would obstruct views of the Coliseum sign, which also features a digital advertising board and signage promoting BMO Stadium. The appeal has been forwarded to the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee for consideration.

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