Mission

Mission Statement

The Dunbar EDC, under the guidance of President and CEO Reginald Chapple, is a leader in real estate development and historic preservation in the Central Avenue corridor.  Incorporated in 1988, the non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation’s mission is to advance the cultural heritage and economic well being of the Vernon-Central corridor through stewardship of the built environment.  It is accomplished through the implementation of objective strategies in affordable housing, business creation, economic development, technology training, family support, youth development, arts, and cultural enhancement.

 

Strategic Plan

Dunbar EDC completed a strategic planning process in September 2005 that involved its Board of Directors and staff prioritizing Culture and Arts as one of the key program areas of Dunbar EDC.  This program area is the outgrowth of Dunbar EDC’s steadfast advocacy for the use of the neighborhood’s history to encourage economic development and tourism for the past 15 years.  Dunbar EDC’s Cultural and Artistic Enrichment goals and objectives are related to the creation of the Central Avenue Historic Jazz District along Central Avenue between Jefferson Boulevard north, Vernon Avenue south, Hooper Avenue east, and Avalon Boulevard west. 

 

Current Dunbar EDC projects that support this program area are as follows:

-          Historic Florence Mills Theater and Artist Lofts – in pre-development.  Construction to begin October 2006.

-          11th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival – Dunbar EDC is the Artistic Director.

-          2nd Annual Jazz Legends of Los Angeles awards Luncheon.

-          Ralph J. Bunche Oral History Project – co-sponsored by UCLA

 

Over the past 15 years Dunbar EDC has added to the cultural and historic fabric of the neighborhood through various mural projects; creation of historic signage; installation of historic lighting, thematic banners; and streetscape projects including curb cuts, decorative crosswalks, bus shelters, monuments, and design of the Central Avenue Jazz Park.  Dunbar EDC has been instrumental in securing funding for these projects through the Mayor’s Targeted Neighborhood Initiative and Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI).  The Central Avenue Historic Jazz District is intended to add to this momentum.

 

Core Strategies

-          Operations

-          Real Estate Development

-          Financial Services

-         Culture & Arts Programming