03-05-26 Inglewood Community Meeting

The City of Inglewood held a community meeting on March 5, 2026, focused on the redevelopment plans for the former Big Lots site in District 1. The meeting featured presentations from city planning officials, the property owner, and representatives from Chick-fil-A, the proposed new tenant. The discussion centered on the proposed Chick-fil-A development, including site design changes to enhance pedestrian friendliness, increased parking beyond code requirements, and a double-lane drive-thru to mitigate traffic impacts. The property owner and Chick-fil-A representatives emphasized their long-term investment commitment and community engagement initiatives, such as local hiring, educational partnerships, and food donations. The project is pending approval by the planning commission, with conditions of approval to ensure community benefits and accountability. The city also discussed broader economic development challenges, noting that Inglewood currently does not meet demographic and economic metrics sought by some major retailers, but is working toward growth and attracting more diverse businesses. No formal votes were reported during the meeting, but the city indicated ongoing efforts to hold developers accountable and to foster a vibrant, walkable commercial corridor.