Sprawling new entertainment complex coming to Southern California city, with hotel, venues and ‘Jewel Plaza’

Carson is swinging for the fences with a flashy new plan to transform its Civic Center into a sprawling entertainment and housing hub complete with a high-rise City Hall, performing arts venue, apartments and even a potential 420-room hotel.

The South Bay city recently approved a new redevelopment blueprint for its roughly 20-acre Civic Center property and officials are now searching for developers to bring the ambitious vision to life.

The project would overhaul the city’s sleepy, parking lot heavy civic campus from the 1970’s into what leaders hope becomes a bustling, action-packed destination.

This isn’t your average town hall renovation. The plan calls for a soaring new 15-story, 200-foot City Hall that would tower over the neighborhood and a 124,000-square-foot performing arts center featuring a 2,000-seat main theater, with a smaller 150-seat venue.

Around 5,000-square-feet of the arts center would be reserved for retail and restaurant space aimed at bringing more foot traffic to the area, according to the Daily Breeze.

The revamped space would also include walkways lined with shops and eateries converging at a new central gathering space dubbed the “Jewel Plaza.”

“In keeping with Carson being known as ‘Jewel of the South Bay,’ the central loop in this alternative will prominently displays a Jewel shape outlined by walkways and landscaping, creating an elliptical ‘Tiara,’” the city states online.

The plaza would reportedly be used for events like concerts, fairs and farmers’ markets.

Housing is also part of the pitch.

The plan includes a four-story mixed-use residential development with 140 apartments and 10,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition, a four-level parking garage built over a new 6,000-square-foot bus depot would be able to house some 640 cars.

Perhaps the biggest wildcard is what Carson decides to do with the eastern side of the site. Developers can opt to build a high 420-room hotel or a 130,000-square-foot immersive entertainment space featuring museums and dining.

A timeline for construction has not yes been announced, with city officials expected to determine next steps after putting a development team in place.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters