Washington Boulevard

Brooke Elkin, 40, is shown at her home in the Mid-City neighborhood. The house was designed by a movie studio designer and is locally known as the “Peter Pan House.”  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

“Do you know what my husband and I did last week? We went for a walk on the boulevard,” said Joy Williams, 60, vice president of the Mid-City Neighborhood Council and a resident since 1978. “We never walk the boulevard. Never.”  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Atomic Cafe is across from a rundown liquor store. The bright and funky cafe with excellent food is evidence for those who think gentrification can be a success in the neighborhood.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Police detained two suspected 18th Street gang members for questioning on 20th Street in the Mid-City neighborhood. The area has a reputation of crime that makes some people skeptical about the progress residents are trying to make.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Allan Di Castro, 47, president of the Mid-City Neighborhood Council, pointed out that this Washington Boulevard alley, once a place for prostitution and drug use, has been cleaned up and illuminated.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Five-year-old William Martinez, blowing a plastic flute, is shown with his grandmother, Linda Mendoza, 65, behind the closed gate at their apartment building on Washington Boulevard in the Mid-City area.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The gated entrance of a rundown apartment complex in the 5100 block of Washington Boulevard. The Mid-City neighborhood along the boulevard between La Brea and Fairfax avenues is in the process of gentrification.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)