NBA star Russell Westbrook commits to build 180 affordable homes in area burned during LA riots

Photo byGetty Images

A region once known as "homicide alley" by California detectives is being revamped with the help of former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook.

An area at the corner of Vermont and Manchester Avenues, which burned down during the LA Riots 30 years ago, is undergoing major renovations to provide affordable housing.

“From neglect to the symbol or rebirth, ‘Evermont’ is rewriting the story of South Los Angeles,” said Russell Westbrook, the LA Clippers player who is also a community investor in the project called Evermont, which broke ground in 2019.

Once completed, Evermont is expected to provide 180 affordable housing units for seniors and low-income households, a Target store, a college prep school and smaller community businesses.

“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,” said LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who said the county spearheaded the development that brought together community investors like Westbrook and private investors like Target and government.

“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,” said Mitchell.

Westbrook, who starred at UCLA and currently for the Los Angeles Clippers, grew up in the area he's investing in.

Russell Westbrook (left) during his playing days at UCLAPhoto byCreative Commons

The nine-time NBA All-Star announced his involvement on social media post:

"This Black History Month, we celebrated resilience, progress and unity in our communities in the heart of Los Angeles on a site that was burned to the ground during the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest. ‘Evermont’ stands tall as a beacon of collaboration between the city, county, local and business communities. This represents a thriving example of what happens when we come together, fostering empowerment, and driving the positive change that this community has been waiting for," Westbrook said.

To honor his philanthropic efforts, a renovated basketball court was named after Westbrook at Jesse Owens Park. It’s part of the Clippers initiative to renovate community courts across Los Angeles.