There are 20 acres in the Crenshaw district in South Los Angeles that most people only know knows as a dump, as a shame. But once Marlton Square, aka Santa Barbara Plaza, held 300 stores, stores supported by the community. Banks, dry cleaners, tailors.
Let's try to imagine.
Seems like a lifetime ago because for most of us in the Crenshaw area the only memory is of Marlton Square in shambles.
It's hard to imagine how big this center was. One two-story office building has the buzzers for 32 offices still intact outside its gated and boarded up doors. All the businesses are gone.
Marlton Square was once a destination. Now it is in decay. Development could be just around the corner. Let's hope it is.
It is with this hope in mind that we have joined forces with Intersections South LA to tell the story of Marlton Square.
Intersections South LA is a community news web site dedicated to covering South Los Angeles led by journalism students from the USC Annenberg School for Communication. Director Willa Seidenberg, also director of Annenberg Radio News, has made the committment to dedicate time, students and expertise on the project.
We're excited to have them on board!
Posted by Eddie North-Hager on 06/01/10
