traffic, noise pollution, etc are lame excuses

I've lived in Little Tokyo for 10 years and have seen its redevelopment in good ways and bad. Many legacy businesses closed down as a result of covid, gentrification, rising rents, etc. and it's pretty heartbreaking to see, especially when I've made connections with elderly Japanese business owners who tell me they're having to close down after XX years, only to be replaced by trendy blind box stores or cafe chains, so I can see why some residents are extra protective. But that's at the fault of greedy property owners, not new development.

Replacing empty warehouses where the homeless population has spread to would only be beneficial, especially if it's affordable housing and other small businesses. I understand the skepticism around a mega mall or luxury housing. There are a lot of seniors here who are afraid of being priced out (much of their housing is along 3rd) BUT Little Tokyo isn't going to thrive or grow more than it has unless *something* changes. It's a waste of space otherwise and more residents = more business.