The construction of a new school in Wilmington has been underway for five years now. What is taking so long? Some people aren’t happy with the project because it means the loss of homes, businesses, jobs, and a local market.The school district used the eminent domain process to buy the full-block site.
In 2007, the Los Angeles School Board put the project on hold when opponents of the plan, including Janice Hahn, mobilized to request a renewed search for an alternate site. Hahn’s concern was having resources available at a walking distance for our minority community.
After the buildings were knocked down in early 2009, 179 tons of contaminated soil were removed from the site. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control reportedly found seven abandoned oil wells. The Department said the cleanup process was completed in May 2009.
The campus, which will house 1,278 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, would take three overcrowded elementary schools off a year-round schedule and return them to a traditional September-through-June calendar.The construction has started up again, and the campus is set to be completed by the 2012 school year. We will see if that actually happens.
For more information on this project and many other projects, attend a Wilmington City Council Meeting, happening every Wednesday.
I grew up on 1255 Broad Ave. which is the site of the rear entrance of the new school. My grandma's house used to be there next to a large open field from 1979 – 1999. I miss and love my grandma. Thank you for all the wonderful memories when you used to take care of me and my cousins.