Vision-Driven Advocacy
“We’re not just asking for investment, we’re showing what that investment looks like, feels like, and means to our neighborhood.”
Initiatives
Over the past two decades, BuCu West has been privileged to collaborate with residents, businesses, other nonprofits, and funders with a goal to transform Morrison Road into a well-designed, vibrant, and healthy corridor that celebrates and preserves Westwood’s unique and diverse cultures. The impacts achieve include BuCu West being a driving force behind establishing the Westwood Creative District; creating one of the country’s largest food incubators for small entrepreneurs; and leading economic justice efforts resulting in $110M in public improvements planned for Morrison Road starting in 2026.
Design isn’t just about what gets built—it’s about who gets to decide what gets built.
At BuCu West, design proposals and site visioning are tools of advocacy. They reflect our values, our culture, and our belief that the people of Westwood should lead the future of Westwood.
To effectively communicate that relationships, collaborations, advocacy, and public work are the foundation of a successful Community Development Corporation (CDC), the key is to present these elements as interconnected pillars—not just strategies, but values in action.
Using design proposals and site visioning as a leading advocacy tool is a powerful way to turn imagination into influence—especially in community development. These tools help translate local voices into tangible, visual possibilities that inspire action, guide investment, and center community ownership in shaping the built environment.
Pathway to Ownership
In partnership with Elevation Community Land Trust, BuCu West is turning a Morrison Road property into a long-term opportunity for local businesses and families.
The building includes seven commercial spaces and three residential units. ECLT now owns the land and will keep the residential units permanently affordable. BuCu West manages the commercial spaces — with a bold goal: help each business become an owner.
We’re working closely with the seven tenants to prepare them for commercial property ownership.
This project is more than property management — it's a pathway to wealth-building, stability, and ownership for Westwood’s small businesses.
El Tianguis de Westwood: A Marketplace Rooted in Culture and Community
El Tianguis is a vision for an open-air marketplace inspired by traditional Mexican and Central American tianguis — designed to celebrate culture, create economic opportunity, and bring people together.
Located on Morrison Road, this vacant lot is being transformed into a vibrant, year-round destination featuring:
Up to 20 vendor stalls offering local goods and culturally reflective products
Free live entertainment showcasing local musicians and artists
A community meeting space open to residents at no cost
Built in response to the community’s long-standing call for a visible and accessible vendor space, El Tianguis supports entrepreneurs — especially those excluded from traditional business spaces — with low overhead, one-on-one support, and room to grow.
With over 17,000 residents within walking distance, El Tianguis will be more than a market. It will be a hub of connection, creativity, and commerce.
