This street has one of the largest rights-of-way in California: a whopping 180 feet! Hawthorne Boulevard runs right through downtown Hawthorne and, thanks to a new Specific Plan, is now a catalyst for downtown revitalization. 

This big street for cars is being transformed into a landmark Complete Street that functions as a civic and community space with fully separated pedestrian, bike, parking and travel lanes. Green street features such as stormwater planters and permeable paving combine with plazas and parklets, customized branding and enhanced landscaping to create a streetscape that will support mobility, urban design and economic development.

Another catalytic project is the nearly three-block-long Hawthorne Mall, which had been shuttered for nearly 15 years. This site can become a pedestrian-oriented retail and dining destination, attracting patrons from throughout the South Bay. The Plan outlines design and development concepts, land use strategies and development guidelines for this and three additional projects.

The community-based plan was bolstered though a web page, neighborhood survey, stakeholder discussions, community workshops and a series of public and internal team design charrettes.

Funded by a grant from California’s Strategic Growth Council, this guiding vision and implementation tool is enhancing the economic vibrancy, character, health and overall quality of the Downtown area. Since adopting the Plan in 2016, the City has constructed streetscape improvements and completed catalytic projects, and many property owners have happily upgraded their own buildings and stores.