Yes Victor, that's how gentrification works. Bring in one large development, and suddenly everything nearby is worth much more, for two main reasons. (1) because a new and higher use has been established for the neighborhood, and theoretically other properties can be redeveloped (2) These are higher-income residents, and their spending power means that higher-end restaurants and retail can flourish in the vicinity. That also increases the business climate and attract more business. Even office use will be attracted.
One would have to look at the census reports from 2010 to establish the identity of the neighborhood, which I have not done. But it's common knowledge that the downtown neighborhood is sparse, just a few people scattered about, living above storefronts, and just a few nearby homes and buildings. The population is low. They basically working class, and very heavily Latino and Black. The new neighborhood is middle to middle-upper income, and there will be significant numbers of Whites and Asians moving in. It'll be a very different neighborhood. I'm sure they will be heavily supportive of "progressive" politics, whatever their background is. People wanting to live in a diverse downtown neighborhood are usually of that mindset. Who knows, they might even vote for Victor Sasson. God help us.
