Capping a 12-year effort, city officials from Bell Gardens and Commerce last week celebrated the grand opening of Vista Del Rio, one of the largest single-family housing projects in southeast Los Angeles County.
The $18-million development includes 102 affordable Spanish Mission homes on a 10-acre parcel that straddles both cities. The three- and four-bedroom homes are in 1,700 square feet and feature wood-burning fireplaces and wall-to-wall carpeting. Fifty-three of the homes are in Commerce; 49 are in Bell Gardens.
The project, developed by the East Los Angeles Community Union, commonly known as TELACU, the Lee Group and Braemar Urban Ventures, set aside 40% of the homes for low-income buyers. The homes range from $189,000 to $219,000. All but two are sold.
"This project is ... evidence of the revitalization of our community," said David Lizarraga, president of TELACU, a nonprofit community development corporation that contains profit-making subsidiaries.
