Located between the Golden State Freeway and Los Angeles River is a wedge commonly referred to as Frogtown, properly Elysian Valley. C A community that has experienced displacement before, having previously resided where the Dodgers Baseball Stadium now sits, knows g what persistence and resiliency look like. The Elysian Valley neighborhood, a quirky community began as home to Southern Pacific o Railroad’s Taylor Yard workers in 1911. Following the introduction of the railroad, an industrial warehouse district developed along the n northern section of the wedge. The residential neighborhood boomed and soon the land was growing into a culturally diverse community.

As for the nickname Frogtown, the neighborhood was quickly invaded by amphibians taking a break from the river. The frogs, actually western toads, would overtake the streets and sidewalks between the 1930s and 1960s. The L.A. River still flows along the periphery of the Elysian Valley, but sadly, the toads no longer make an appearance.

Today, Frogtown is a quiet, neighborhood where culture and community can be felt on every street corner. The bike path, which follows the curvature of the river, is constantly flowing with cyclists, dog walkers, and everyday people from the surrounding areas. Frogtown is a living, breathing sliver right along the periphery of Los Angeles.

What does Gentrification have to do with Displacement?

Gentrification: a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents

Displacement: to remove from the usual or proper place

What this means is that not only are the locals within the community put under extreme pressure knowing they may have to move, it leads to higher rent rates, fewer local jobs and a loss of community culture. The stress caused by gentrification can have countless effects on the community that is directly being affected by these changes.

How to Create a More Prosperous Community Without Displacement or Loss of Culture?

Find a blend between this and that - creating a connection between new development by advocating for low-density and fair zoning laws while updating existing buildings, parks and improving resources. This can be done without building high-rise apartments with unobtainable rent prices and forcing the price of rents to skyrocket. Unnecessary amenities **

Community building leads to stronger and more intentional roots to create prosperous infrastructure and build on what is already been established. Public Infrastructure is a physical system that’s the base to how society works - which the Elysian Valley has previous experience fighting for.

The revitalization of Frogtown and the incorporation of values, culture, and community values into future development will allow the community to maintain its historic roots while also protecting those who have lived their whole lives in the wedge.

Setting Up Future Success in Frogtown to Avoid Displacement

Creating essentials in the community

Using community feedback to integrate self-sustaining needs

Providing an opportunity for employment and coop living arrangement

Improving social awareness of displacement

Advocating for lower density buildings

Working with developers to improve the neighborhood without forcing locals and their culture out

Building on the current community to provide them with resources and spaces that are necessary for the neighborhood to succeed

Connection and Community - utilizing the connection that has been created over time to work together and continue to unify, support, and provide employment and housing opportunities for local members within Frogtown

Site Location and Context

Inspiration and Reference Photos

The Central Market

What is the Central Market you may ask?

It is a centrally located space for the Frogtown community, providing basic amenities and necessities -- a space for creativity and exploration, a home, and whatever the market space needs to be for that individual. The goal is to provide amenities such as a bodega for local groceries, with produce provided by the community garden just a few blocks away. The market is also home to a new coffee stop, a post office with all ones mailing needs as well as a laundromat -- necessary spaces the wedge currently does not possess. Along with the market and accessory spaces, there's an after-school/daycare facility, something the community is also lacking. Due to the location, the daycare is accessible for families who live around the corner or those who may travel along the Los Angeles River Bike Path.

You may be wondering who is working these spaces and where do they live since development and housing prices are currently on an uptrend? Within the heart of the market is the Hybrid Housing. Whether you are an artist who needs a place to stay while creating or a family who may have been displaced due to the rapid development, or someone who needs a safe space to live and work, the Hybrid Housing provides comfortable, communal living space for those members of the community. There is also a Coop initiative to the housing; pay back the rent by working the market and creating community engagement. The idea around Hybrid Housing is that it is temporary housing to provide guidance and stability to community members while they get back on their feet. The goal is to have a safe space but encourage growth and future endeavors with the support and encouragement of the Frogtown community.

Within the Elysian Valley, there are several small business ventures currently taking place -- many of them are located in either a backyard or garage. So, knowing that there is a need for a space to create and build, the Central Market has three incubators, maker spaces. The craft, small-item maker space is located above the bodega with views overlooking the courtyard and locals passing through. For the bakers, chefs, canned good makers, the Hybrid Housing space is also fixed as a commercial-grade kitchen. The third and final incubator space is the large item shop. Within the shop, which is situated along the LA Bike Path and the outdoor covered courtyard, members can utilize heavy machinery and produce larger items. From cabinets to motorcycle engines, the large item maker space is situated for all machinery while providing the necessary space to build, grow, and showcase the work if need be. As mentioned throughout, there are multiple courtyards with the Central Market. Each with their unique feel, the courtyards are open-air spaces with local greenery to allow for movement from Blake Ave. and connect to the LA River Bike Path. This allows for a direct connection from the neighborhood to the path - something that is currently not easily accessible. Along the Southern end of the market, the alleyway also allows for more direct, less meandering access to the bike path for those who need to quickly get to where they are going.

The objective of The Central Market is to be a place for all and to fulfill their needs, whatever those may be. So for the single mother who needs childcare and easy access to fresh food and vegetables, to the local family who enjoys evening strolls in the neighborhood, to the cabinet maker who no longer has to lose his garage to build a business, the Central Market is for the people of Frogtown.