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The concept of Barrio Planners as a community design center was developed in
1970 by Frank Villalobos, Raul Escobedo, David Angelo and Manny Orosco upon
graduating from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. In 1971 Barrio
Planners was incorporated as a non-profit organization and was one of three
such centers in the State of California.
Initially, Barrio Planners provided landscape architectural services for
several recreational and community facilities, and advocacy planning
services to various community groups and organizations in low-income
communities. Through its initial projects, Barrio Planners originated and
integrated its philosophy of citizen participation and its
multi-disciplinary approach to community based projects.
The Barrio Planners methodology was further refined as it undertook urban
design studies, migrant farm worker housing studies and master planning
efforts for farm worker communities and East Los Angeles College. Also, in
the development of a commercial revitalization process which was
successfully utilized in several older commercial areas throughout Los
Angeles County.
In 1982, William Villalobos joined Frank Villalobos who together reorganized
the firm as Barrio Planners Incorporated, a California for profit
corporation.
Barrio Planners Incorporated continues to provide landscape services for
affordable housing projects, community facilities and a variety of public
facilities. Utilizing its landscape and commercial revitalization expertise,
BPI undertook public streetscape improvements on several commercial
corridors such as on Whittier Boulevard. BPI also undertook the upgrading
and adaptive reuse of several structures for new commercial uses, child care
centers and community facilities.
Since 1987, BPI expanded its services to include planning studies that
involve planning, urban design and economic feasibility components. Some of
these projects included the Olvera Street Revitalization Plan, San
Diego-Mercado Del Barrio Feasibility Study and the
Ridgecrest Downtown Revitalization Plan. As a collaborative team member,
BPI also participated in several transportation studies. These included
several light rail alternative analysis studies and the master landscape
plan for the Norwalk to El Segundo Light Rail
segment. In 1994, BPI was the lead consultant for planning, urban design and
concept plan development for the Metro Red Line-Eastern Extension.
In 1995, the BPI planning and design philosophy and vision will continue
forward as Jennifer Villalobos joins the firm with a Bachelors Degree in
Architecture from the University of Southern California.
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