Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records, 1938-1997

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Creators:
Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project.
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.
Extent:
46.0 Linear feet 26 boxes plus oversize material
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records, Collection no. 0226, Regional History Collections, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
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.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

Terms of 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.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder# or item name], Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project records, Collection no. 0226, Regional History Collections, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Location of this collection:
Special Collections
Doheny Memorial Library, Room 209
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0182, US
Contact:
(213) 740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Website