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Finding Aid of the Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records
0226
0226
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Table of contents
Title: Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records
Collection number: 0226
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
46.0 Linear feet
26 boxes plus oversize material
Date (inclusive): 1938-1997
Abstract: The collection spans from 1938 to 1997 and consists of items related to the redevelopment of Bunker Hill: legal documents,
reports, studies, brochures, proposals, serials, books, photographs, design proposals, and Community Redevelopment Agency
studies.
creator:
Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project.
The Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project was given to the University of Southern California, in 1999 by Yukio Kawaratani, the
principal downtown planner for the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California.
The Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project began in 1955 when the city of Los Angeles decided to modernize the downtown area by
building skyscrapers and giving it a more sophisticated look. Spearheaded by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City
of Los Angeles, California, and its principal downtown planner, Yukio Kawaratani, Bunker Hill was transformed and eventually
became synonymous with downtown L.A. Its long-standing history can be separated into seven distinct periods:
I. "The Rise of Bunker Hill" occurred in the twenty years before and after the turn of the century and was characterized by
the construction of Victorian mansions, hotels, and commercial real estate.
II. "The Decline of Bunker Hill" extended throughout the 1920s, 30s, and 40s as new construction projects were discouraged
by the "Hill" residents. As a result, Bunker Hill was passed by, while other construction projects were completed in the downtown
area.
III. "The Studies and Planning" period started after World War II. Encouraged by the California Community Redevelopment Law
and Federal Housing Acts of 1946 and 1949, a redevelopment plan was finally adopted for Bunker Hill in 1959.
IV. "The Start of Implementation" of the redevelopment process took place in the 1960s. Acquisition, relocation, and site
clearance occurred during the first five years, followed by the construction of the first four new developments and a new
street system.
V. "The Signing Years" of the 1970s resulted in as many as 14 agreements for office, hotel, and housing development projects,
of which five were constructed within the decade. Transportation measures to handle future traffic concerns were also pursued.
VI. "The Building Boom" of the 1980s saw an explosion of over a dozen office, residential and hotel projects constructed particularly
on the hilltop. Bunker Hill redevelopment funds also helped to facilitate the construction of thousands of low and moderate
income housing units throughout the city.
VII. "The Recession" of the 1990s halted the construction of many office buildings. Fortunately, one hotel and an apartment
building still underwent construction and the historic Angel's Flight Railway was restored.
The collection consists of items related to the redevelopment of Bunker Hill: legal documents, reports, studies, brochures,
proposals, serials, books, photographs, design proposals, and Community Redevelopment Agency studies. Also found within the
collection are planning documents and other related materials concerning surrounding downtown areas: Central City East, South
Park, Financial District, Historic Core (including the Broadway Corridor), Seventh Street Retail Development, and various
housing, tourism, retail, and transportation reports.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
The collection contains published articles; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers on
reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers when
reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish,
quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records, Collection no. 0226, Regional History Collections,
Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bunker Hill Urban Renewal Project. -- Archives
Central Business District Redevelopment Project (Los Angeles, Calif.). -- Archives
Kawaratani, Yukio
Brochures
Bunker Hill (Los Angeles, Calif.)-Archives
City planning--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
City planning--California--Los Angeles--History--20th century--Archival resources
Legal documents
Photographs
Reports