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National Center for Eco-industrial Development (NCEID): Feasibility Analysis of a Rural Eco-Industrial Park in Perry County
Economic Development Department of Perry County, Illinois
This study developed a practical eco-industrial park model for the 528-acre industrially zoned land owned by Midwest Transload adjacent to Pyramid State Park known as the Midwest Transload site and provides recommendations for its development. Research was conducted on three components of the eco-industrial park: the availability and dependability of solid waste arriving by rail, the costs and benefits of constructing a materials recovery facility (MRF), and the mix of businesses offering long-term quality employment in an eco-industrial park compatible with the available waste stream.
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The Rosecrans Corridor: Reclaiming It for Gardena, A Framework for Business and Job Creation for the Eastern Sector of the Rosecrans Corridor
City of Gardena
This report highlights the competitive strengths of the Rosecrans Corridor in Gardena for attracting and retaining businesses, identifies the areas most appropriate for targeting investment, and notes the areas that need improvement to effectively attract desired growth.
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Increasing Bus Transit Ridership: Dynamics of Density, Land Use, and Population Growth
METRANS (National Center for Metropolitan Research)
In this research project, we present findings that focus on the relationship between transit ridership and density and mixed land use developments along major arterial corridors. The study explores the possibilities of increasing transit ridership from transit corridor development or TCD, a variant of the more general class of TOD or transit-oriented development. Our research focuses on Ventura Boulevard and Vermont Avenue as a comparative study of two distinctly different, and two of the most heavily subscribed bus transit corridors in the Los Angeles area, with diverse service, ridership, and socio-economic characteristics.
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Feasibility Study to Enhance Bus Transit Center Development, Downtown Inglewood
City of Inglewood
The project's premise is that the development of bus transit center and supporting land use transportation strategies can serve as a catalyst for Market Street renaissance and long-term downtown revitalization. The feasibility study for business development in downtown Inglewood includes market and land use analysis and identification of development challenges and opportunities. The Center has recommended integrated land use and transportation strategies to promote infill, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development leading to jobs-housing balance and sustainable community economic development. Outcomes of this project include the identification of potential uses that support transit-oriented development, alternative design scenarios, and recommendations on land use and urban design.
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Pomona Area Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Pomona Area CEDS Committee
The Pomona Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is the result of a partnership between the City of Pomona, Fairplex, Pomona Unified School District (PUSD), and the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) which was established in order to comprehensively address economic development issues in Pomona. The Center worked with representatives from the four organizations to identify the following strategies for Pomona, Attract High-Tech Industry, Corridor and Cluster-based Development, Mixed-Use Development, Transit-Oriented Development, Workforce Development, and International Trade.
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Citywide Economic Development Strategic Plan
City of Inglewood
The Center engaged the community and stakeholders in a visioning and planning process for the purpose of developing broad support and direction for a citywide economic development strategic plan. During the process, the Center conducted visioning workshops in the City with the Mayor and council members in each of the Council Districts. In addition, the Center conducted a business roundtable, and a citywide charrette to prioritize development opportunities.
For more information regarding the project and proceedings, please go to the following links: http://ced.usc.edu/Inglewood/
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Report on Focus Group Facilitation for Development of iLEAD “Economic Development Strategies Report”
Los Angeles Southwest College Foundation
The Center conducted a series of focus groups with stakeholders from the public sector, the community and faith-based sector, and the higher education sector. A final focus group was conducted with participants from each sector as well as the business sector. In the final report, recommendations included developing partnerships between sectors and sharing information to facilitate needed changes. Los Angeles Southwest Community College developed a strategy to develop partnerships within the community and faith-based organizations who attended to offer more applied training programs.
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Rosecran East Corridor Workforce Study
South Bay Economic Development Partnership
The Center conducted an analysis of existing and future workforce in the three cities of Gardena, Hawthorne and Lawndale which are together known as the Tri-Cities. The study consists of analysis of the existing local job opportunities, identification of workforce preparedness gaps, recommendations for closing the gaps as well as assessment of available resources in the region for financial and employment improvement of the residents. The key findings of the project lead to specific educational and economic strategies that could be implemented in the area.
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A Brownfields-based Solution for Los Angeles County's Housing Crisis
Greenlining Institute
The Center prepared an assessment of the effect of brownfields on the affordable housing crisis that many California communities are facing. The report quantified and examined in detail the quantity of housing units that could be developed on brownfield sites suitable for housing. Case studies of currently existing housing developments on previous brownfields sites raised issues regarding financial risks and incentives.
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Community Consensus Building on the Former "Heart of the City"
City of Redondo Beach
The Center provided technical assistance to the City of Redondo Beach in forming community vision and developing alternative land use concepts for the specific plan area through series of workshops that encouraged community participation. This report conveys procedural descriptions and the production of consensus building effort for creation of plans and land use maps along with the vision statements for the targeted area.
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West Union Plaza Commercial Retail and Office Development, 1999
Center for Economic Development
Supervised Student Work
A Graduate level class was organized under the direction of Dr. Edward J. Blakely in Economic Development. The students prepared development plans consisting of an organizational plan, a market analysis, a financial analysis and an implementation plan for a building construction project in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles.
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City of Pasadena West Gateway Specific Plan
Center for Economic Development
The Center has prepared the urban design element of the West Gateway Specific Plan for the City of Pasadena, in collaboration with the City staff. In the process, it conducted physical inventory, urban design charettes and streetscape design and development studies for the West Gateway Specific Plan area, redevelopment findings for the South De Lacey Corridor, and developed financial feasibility scenarios for the historic Vista Del Arroyo Bungalows. The work was accomplished by undergraduate and graduate students, working in lab courses, designed specifically to address these issues, as well as interns, faculty, consultants and professionals-in-residence.
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City of Los Angeles Capacity Building Program
Center for Economic Development
The Center provided technical assistance to nonprofit community based organizations in commercial and industrial development through the City of Los Angeles Capacity Building Program. The programs four main components included: i) outreach, ii) analysis, iii) training, and iv) technical assistance, that helped identify community needs and opportunities, and provided support and direction to the CBOs to build their capacity to promote local economic development and bring their projects to completion. The Center utilized the professional input of graduate classes in economic development as well as student interns, faculty, consultants, and staff for the project.
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Neighborhood Plans and Housing Study: City of West Hollywood
Center for Economic Development
The Center has contributed towards the creation of neighborhood plans for the City of West Hollywood by running a graduate lab in community development and revitalization. The class conducted an assessment of physical, economic and social conditions, and identified problems and opportunities in each neighborhood. The students actively engaged in a dialogue with the community; performed institutional analysis, and conducted community meetings and workshops. The Center completed a housing needs assessment that prepares options for the City Council to consider for its direction in the future.
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City of Glendale Adams Square Improvement
Center for Economic Development
The Center assisted the City of Glendale in understanding the current use and needs of Adams Square and surrounding communities, as well as the potential uses and improvements of Adams Square. The study includes necessary research, surveys, and interviews to identify, describe, and map current land use and market demand. The process involves interaction between Center staff, City personnel, local neighborhood associations, local businesses and institutions.
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Vermont Corridor Design Improvement Strategy: Community Redevelopment Agency
Community Development & Design Forum (CDDF)
The Forum completed a comprehensive study and analysis of the Vermont Corridor that addresses economic development, physical improvements and marketing strategies to enhance the Corridor's position within the larger CBD framework and be a critical link to South Central Los Angeles. The Forum has identified opportunities for conservation, renewal, and improvements in the public domain. It has also prepared alternative models of future development involving in-fill housing, commercial and mixed land use, and developed illustrative guidelines for appearance and design of buildings as well as street improvements and
parking.
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Los Angeles Neighborhood Improvement (LANI) Demonstration Project: Consensus Building
Community Development & Design Forum (CDDF)
Center for Economic Development
The Forum and the USC Center for Economic Development assisted the Fairfax Recognized Community Organization of LANI with consensus building techniques. The purpose of the consensus building was to fulfill the need pointed out by the initial eight LANI neighborhoods for training in the area of decision making. The meeting and the retreat featured a discussion
on the various techniques (nominal group, delphi, negotiation), community empowerment, facilitation, building and maintaining partnerships, and community organizing.

 
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