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Nickerson Gardens

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Public housing complex in Los Angeles, California, United States
Nickerson Gardens
Nickerson Gardens in 2019
General information
Location1590 East 114th Street, Watts, Los Angeles, California, United States
Status1,066 units
Construction
Constructed1954
ArchitectPaul R. Williams
Other information
Governing
body		Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles

Nickerson Gardens is a 1,066-unit public housing apartment complex at 1590 East 114th Street in Watts, Los Angeles, California. Nickerson Gardens is the largest public housing development in Los Angeles.

Location

The complex occupies the blocks northeast of the corner of Imperial Highway and Central Avenue, and southwest of 111th St and Compton Avenue. It is on the border of both Watts (a district of South Los Angeles) and the Census Designated Place (CDP) of Willowbrook.

History

It was first opened for occupancy in March 1954, although construction was still underway. The original architect was Paul R. Williams. It was named after William Nickerson Jr., the founder and former CEO of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company.

In the mid-1970s, Nickerson Gardens was 95% African American; by 2004, the African American population had decreased to 75% and continued to drop.

Nickerson Gardens was occasionally known as the recognized birthplace of the Bounty Hunter Bloods gang. A Los Angeles Times article on November 17, 2007, detailed they were gangs that had patrolled in and around Nickerson Gardens.

In 2023, Nickerson Gardens received a new playground, featuring a gym, a carousel, misting poles and canopies for evaporative cooling, climbing nets, slides, and swings.The lead bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Flea, arranged funding for the park, while NBBJ and ESI Design did designwork for the park free of charge. The Watts Gang Task Force spoke at the unveiling, highlighting the park as a measure against gang activity.

Operation

The complex is owned and managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Nickerson Gardens consists of 156 buildings with townhouse style units made up on single bedroom units.

Education

Nickerson Gardens is assigned to the following Los Angeles Unified School District schools:

  • 112th Street Elementary School
  • Lovelia P. Flournoy Elementary School
  • Markham Middle School
  • Jordan High School

In popular culture

World famous rapper Kendrick Lamar was seemingly raised in these projects, as Nickerson Gardens has been referenced in many of his songs such as DUCKWORTH., wacced out murals & Not Like Us. Lamar also performed some of his songs here in 2015.

References

  1. ^ "Nickerson Gardens Housing Project - Los Angeles - Paul Revere Williams". www.paulrwilliamsproject.org. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  2. "Public Housing Developments" (PDF). Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. Hacla.org. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013.
  3. July 18, CLAIRE SPIEGEL; Pt, 1987 12 Am (1987-07-18). "Watts Housing Project Will Be Renovated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. The California Eagle, February 25, 1954
  5. Freeman, Dennis (25 March 2004). "Nickerson Gardens Targeted for Redevelopment". Los Angeles Sentinel. p. A11.
  6. "Watts Housing Project Will Be Renovated". Los Angeles Times. 1987-07-18. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  7. "A quiet night's menace". Los Angeles Times. 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  8. Klein, Kristine (2023-08-22). "Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea patroned a playground designed by NBBJ and ESI Design for L.A.'s Nickerson Gardens". The Architect's Newspaper.

33°55′56″N 118°14′52″W / 33.93229°N 118.24769°W / 33.93229; -118.24769

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