Remodeling a Community

Remodeling a Community    

by Bryant Lopez

What is gentrification? In short, it has been described as "remodeling a community" or so states student Jocelyn Matias, a long time Boyle heights resident. Jocelyn states how gentrification in Boyle heights has only worsened over the past five years. Mentioning how rent prices have risen significantly for business owners, leaving them to close their doors after years of being in business. 

Jocelyn gives us further insight into a local business near her home that she claims has fallen to gentrification. Referring to the countless amount of owners who have passed through this particular location, each of them struggling to remain open. Now standing as a remodeled dispensary, she claims it will only continue to raise property taxes and further push local business owners away. 

Similarly, another local resident Patrica Vazquez, and my long time neighbor shares her thoughts on gentrification and its effects on our community. Patricia much like many of my neighbors is hispanic, and claims that gentrification is especially hard for her because "it feels like we are being kick out by raising the rent prices." 

Moreover, city council man Kevin de Leon has also commented on the situation as rent continues to rise in small communities such as Boyle heights. Stating "Boyle Heights, like many historic working-class neighborhoods, has been grappling with the increasing detrimental impacts of gentrification, which has forced low-income Latino families out of their homes and threatened the very essence of this vibrant community." 

Aside from being born and raised in Boyle heights, it is also important to me that the culture within my community stays alive. As our community has always been filled with so much culture. Whether it's through food from local mom and pop shops or through cultural landmarks such as El Pino. Nonetheless, as gentrification continues to push its way through Boyle heights, it has also pushed away some of the culture and local residents.   

Sources (APA Format)

Medina, A. (2022, December 9). Special issue: Gentrification divides boyle heights. Boyle Heights Beat. https://boyleheightsbeat.com/gentrification/

Los Angeles City Council approves the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update, marking the most progressive, anti-gentrification community plan in LA history. City of Los Angeles, Council District 14. (2023, December 13). https://councildistrict14.lacity.gov/news/los-angeles-city-council-approves-the-boyle-heights-community-plan-update-marking-the-most-progressive-anti-gentrification-community-plan-in-la-history/#:~:text=Boyle%20Heights%2C%20like%20many%20historic,essence%20of%20this%20vibrant%20community.