Downtown Compton

Downtown Compton is the major business district of Compton, California. Downtown Compton started out as a thriving and safe environment throughout the early 1950s to the mid-1970s. When gang violence and robberies sparked in the 70s businesses began to move out and relocate leaving Downtown Compton a ghost town. It is now home to many businesses, two shopping centers, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center.[1] The Metro A Line light rail now runs through Downtown Compton making travel to the city much easier.[2]

Downtown Compton
The Martin Luther King Monument in front of the Compton City Hall and the Superior Court building. The monument is the logo for the city and is featured on signage.
Nickname(s): 
Downtown C.P.T
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyCounty of Los Angeles

History

1950s-1970s

Throughout the 1950s to early 1970s Downtown Compton was a major business district and home to many companies. During weekends streets would be packed and filled with shoppers, especially during the holidays.

1970s-1980s

During the late '70s the face of Downtown Compton began to take a drastic turn. Robberies and ongoing gang violence due to the primarily African-American street gangs the Crips and the Bloods, businesses began to move elsewhere to avoid further problems.[3]

1980s-1990s

During the late 80s the face of Compton began to change with new mayor, Omar Bradley, This included the construction of the new Compton Town Center. Around this time the Los Angeles County Metro Rail System began adding the finishing touches to the Metro Blue Line that runs straight through Downtown Compton on the median of Willowbrook Avenue. This led to the construction of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Transit Center, also located on Willowbrook along with the Metro Blue Line Compton Station.

Recent years

Downtown Compton is now home to the following businesses.

  • Martin Luther King Jr, Transit Center
  • Compton Town Center
  • Renaissance Plaza
  • Compton Courthouse
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References
  1. Kudler, Adrian Glick (January 30, 2012). "Compton's New Transit Center Opens By Sold Out Townhouses". Curbed. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  2. Nelson, Laura J. (October 17, 2019). "Light rail to Long Beach will reopen soon — but it won't be called the Blue Line". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  3. Jackson, Mitchell (2020). Survival Math: Notes on an All-American Family. Scribner p. 242. ISBN 978-1-5011-3173-8.

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