Street corner torched in L.A. riots may get new life, at longlast

Twenty-three years ago, a mob fueled by rage after four Los Angeles Police Department officerswere found not guilty in the beating of Rodney King torched the intersection of Vermont andManchester avenues.

The ABC Swap Meet -- a hub of dreams realized by entrepreneurs who hawked clothing, music andother goods -- was first on the South Los Angeles corner to catch fire.

Dozens lost their livelihoods. Some business owners were able to protect their shops, not leavinguntil the National Guard arrived, sure then that their property would be safe.

It was not.

In total, 22 structures burned to the ground in the vicinity of Vermont and Manchester. Politiciansvowed to rebuild, but the lot where ABC stood festered like an open wound.

The corner became a battleground for city leaders and anti-development community groups. Effortsto use the space for an affordable housing complex, as well as a $50-million commercialdevelopment, were stymied. Grass pushed through the concrete at the football-field-sized plot.

Now, however, plans are underway for a $100-million entertainment district on Vermont between84th Street and Manchester. City officials hope that a new supermarket, pharmacy and other retailshops will revitalize the area.

At Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony, some residents were full of hope. Others, including CityCouncilman Bernard C. Parks, had a more measured response.

"What I've always been reluctant to do is have groundbreakings," said Parks, who represents thearea. "Because, you know, you have 10 times more groundbreakings than ribbon cuttings. ... Buttoday, I think, we have really a project that is going to happen."

Resident Dana Gilbert said he hoped this project would not become another empty promise.

He keeps a copy of a June 16, 1992, newspaper clipping with a photo showing him with then-MayorTom Bradley touring the burned-out buildings. Gilbert said he remembered all the grandiose plans,none of which came to fruition.

"Is this the new lie?" he said. "That's my question."

In 1994, then-City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and Rep. Maxine Waters fought over what to dowith the blighted lot. Waters envisioned a pedestrian-friendly commercial thoroughfare like OldTown Pasadena or Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade. Ridley-Thomas wanted affordablehousing, a senior citizens' housing complex, an alternative high school and a mini-City Hall -- allwhich eventually were built elsewhere nearby.

Two years later, anti-development activists sued L.A.'s Community Redevelopment Agency to block itfrom using eminent domain to seize the land for future development. The battle dragged on for fouryears, with the agency eventually prevailing.

The redevelopment agency did not begin eminent domain proceedings to gain control over the lotuntil 2008, after talks with the owner broke down. Later, Gov. Jerry Brown dissolved the agencywhile it was in the process of buying the land, Parks said Wednesday.

The latest project, Vermont Entertainment Village, is scheduled to open by the end of 2016.Renderings show an open-air promenade hosting national retailers like Nike and Urban Outfitters,as well as fine dining options residents have been begging for.

"It's a dream come true," said 42-year-old Jennone Marshall, a youth director at the communitygroup Seeking Peaceful Solutions. "I don't have to go to Citadel [Outlets in Commerce] or SantaMonica farmers market for fresh fruit. We will have this in our own community."

angel.jennings@latimes.com

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