Inglewood Small Businesses Navigate Challenges Ahead of the 2028 Olympics

Inglewood Business Owners Face Uncertain Future Amid City Plans

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – A significant tension is brewing as local business owners at Inglewood Plaza confront a city plan that could jeopardize their long-standing livelihoods. The initiative, linked to the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, is aimed at constructing a transit center necessary for enhanced bus service and parking. However, business owners fear that the project will lead to their displacement without just compensation.

The Inglewood City Council’s proposal involves taking over the Inglewood Plaza property, a move city planners argue is crucial for improving public transit. Yet, many local entrepreneurs express deep concerns about the potential impact of this development. Amelia Hernandez, owner of Selwyn Jewelers, raised alarms about the future of her business and others in the area, stating, "Everything is so uncertain that we’re fearful that they’ll just shut the door on us and condemn the building."

Hernandez emphasized the pressure she and other business owners feel to accept terms they find inadequate. "I feel like they’re hunting me down to get me to agree to a price that I’m not okay with. What is our family legacy really worth? Businesses that have been here over 30 years," she noted.

Furthermore, she criticized the offered relocation assistance, indicating it falls significantly short of covering the long-term losses businesses could face due to increased rent. "At five to $10,000, the new leases, there’s just no way to be sustainable long enough while our clients try to find us all over again," she explained.

City officials maintain that the transit center is essential to support the infrastructure required for the Olympic Games. The city asserts that they are focusing on providing relocation assistance rather than compensating for potential long-term losses.

The situation remains unresolved, with no clear indication of whether agreements will be reached with the property owner or the business owners. Reports suggest that neither the owner of the property nor most business owners have currently signed any agreements with the city.

Looking ahead, the next Inglewood City Council meeting is set for February 10, where business owners plan to voice their concerns. Hernandez shared her apprehensions about the process, stating, "Unfortunately, we know how it all ends. Families lose everything."