Several small businesses in an Inglewood shopping center at Florence Avenue and Market Street have received 90-day notices to vacate their premises. The city plans to clear the site for the Inglewood Transit Connector, a shuttle bus line meant to cut traffic around SoFi Stadium and the growing sports and entertainment area.
Owners say the move creates immediate financial pressure and leaves many questions unanswered about support. The infrastructure effort has been in planning for six years.
Amelia Hernandez, owner of Selwyn Jeweler, called the city's offer of $53,000 in relocation aid inadequate. She pointed out that an earlier move she handled on her own cost more than $100,000 and said she does not want to relocate her family business again.
Sam Chung of Inglewood Beauty Supply and Salon, which has been at the location for 18 months, reported that the uncertainty has harmed his health. "I can't sleep," he said, adding that compensation details remain vague: "Nobody is saying exactly. If I'm maybe closing out a going business, how much are they going to cover to me? I don't know yet."
Marilyn Wallace of Red's Flavor Table noted the challenge of securing a ready-to-use restaurant space. Although city officials have suggested possible sites in and outside Inglewood, she said she lacks the funds and time for major renovations and stated, "The amount of money I really, I have no idea. Make me an offer I can't refuse."
Inglewood Mayor James Butts described the overall process as extremely generous and transparent. He said the completed project "will be modern, it will be beautiful. There will be retail spaces there, there'll be a 1,000-car garage to park cars so you can take the electric transportation around the city."
Affected owners are now working to determine their next steps while the 90-day period runs down, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
This report is based on coverage by FOX 11 Los Angeles: https://www.foxla.com/news/sofi-stadium-shuttle-inglewood-business-face-displacement