Arch Tour Fest 10AM: Destination Crenshaw

Photo Credit: Perkins&Will 

Arch Tour Fest: Destination Crenshaw – Phase I Construction Site | 10AM

This is an in-person tour. Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination. Please read and check the agreement and safety boxes in the registration. Additional information regarding the tour and check-in process will be emailed directed to registrants 24 hours before the event. Tickets are non-transferable.

View the list of all Arch Tour Fest LA tours

Arch Tour Fest is presented by LG | Business Solutions

CES Learning Units: 1 LU

Safety Glasses, Hardhats, Gloves, High visible vest, steel toe boots, must always be worn while at the construction site.

In May 2017, Destination Crenshaw was incorporated as an independent non-profit corporation with the purpose of celebrating the history and culture of Black Los Angeles through a 1.3 mile-long art and cultural experience along the Crenshaw/LAX Line. Destination Crenshaw will facilitate cultural commerce, and improve Crenshaw Boulevard through new sidewalks, 30,000 new square feet of landscaping, culturally stamped street furniture (including outdoor seating, shade structures, bicycle racks, and wayfinding), ten pocket There are parks, 800+ trees, and 100+ public artworks and exhibits (including monuments, statues, murals, and digital stories).

Tour Stops (Car is required for transportation for this tour):
Hot & Cool Cafe
Sankofa Park
Dulan’s on Crenshaw

Architects: Perkins&Will // Studio MLA

General Contractor: PCL
Architecture & Design: Perkins&Will
Landscape Architect: Studio MLA

Tour Led By: 

Drake Dillard, AIA, NOMAC – Senior Project Manager, Perkins&Will

Drake Dillard, a registered architect in Perkins and Will’s Los Angeles practice, has made significant architectural contributions to Black Los Angeles. He designed the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in South Los Angeles – the only historically black graduate institution west of the Mississippi and only one of a handful of Los Angeles landmarks designed by a Black architect. He advocates tirelessly for diversity in his profession and mentors people of color pursuing their dreams of becoming architects. Actively involved in numerous community and industry organizations, Drake currently serves on The Crenshaw Design Review Panel, as a Commissioner for LA County, and as Board Chair of the Crenshaw Family YMCA. He is a member and past National President of The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and as Board Director for the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA LA). He earned his Master of Architecture degree from Howard University and his Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from the University of Illinois and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Inc. public service fraternity.

Jason Foster, Destination Crenshaw, Pres & COO

Prior to joining Destination Crenshaw, Jason served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at River LA, the organization charged with improving and revitalizing communities adjacent to the 51-mile stretch of the LA River. Jason helped to build the non-profit organization from its inception. He developed the organization’s partnerships philosophy and spearheaded programming for River LA’s strategic partnerships. Jason worked closely with community partners, corporate representatives, and residents to grow the civic pride and social responsibility surrounding the LA River. Before moving to Los Angeles, Jason worked as a Project Manager for Impacct Brooklyn (previously Pratt Area Community Council) in Brooklyn, New York. He managed multiple multi-unit affordable housing projects through construction, including tenant relocations, construction project management, and property management services. Prior to construction management, Jason worked as a community organizer and was involved in campaign policy strategy and coordination. Jason holds a B.A. in Business Administration, Finance from Howard University, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. (Beta Chapter), a founding member of Beta Chapter Alumni Association (501(c)3) and the Beta Chapter Investment Club. Jason also holds an MBA from the Metropolitan College of New York where he focused his studies on community redevelopment and small business incubation.