NBA star Russell Westbrook helping build affordable housing in area destroyed during 1992 LA Riots

South Los Angeles native and Los Angeles Clippers star Russell Westbrook is giving back to his community as he is among a team of investors who are financing an affordable housing project. 

According to NBC Los Angeles, the site for the redevelopment project is at the corner of Vermont and Manchester Avenues. The area in question was initially a dangerous spot, with detectives referring to it as “homicide alley” after over 60 murders were reported there. The 1992 Los Angeles Riots also resulted in the location being destroyed, but it is now getting a much-needed facelift.

“From neglect to the symbol or rebirth, ‘Evermont’ is rewriting the story of South Los Angeles,” Westbrook, 35, said. The construction of the Evermont Project, in which Westbrook is an investor, was initiated in 2019. Construction is expected to be completed later this year.

The building is a mixed-use development that will provide 180 units of affordable housing for seniors and low-income families. Evermont, per its website, will also have “commercial and retail spaces, a SEED school, a transit plaza, and a Metro training facility.”

“The property was seized through eminent domain. We ended up paying the property owner north of $40 million to really create an opportunity for that block,” LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said, adding that the project was initiated by the county.

Besides Westbrook, other investors in the development include the government and retail giant Target, NBC Los Angeles reported. “It is multiple levels of government, plus private enterprise in a real partnership to bring much-needed services to the community and I’m excited about it,” Mitchell said.