The West Santa Ana Branch light rail line may be years away from serving its first passengers, but the City of Bellflower is already looking to capitalize on the future light rail line.

An initial study published by the City of Bellflower plans from Glendale-based Serrano Development Group to build a new housing and retail complex at 16411 Bellflower Boulevard - just south of the proposed light rail line.  The project would renovate a vacant building at the intersection of Bellflower and Mayne Street into a restaurant, a retail store, and a four-screen theater with seating for up to 278 people.  A larger five-story edifice containing 91 one- and two-bedroom condominiums and a small ground-floor retail space would replace an adjoining surface parking lot.

Renderings of the proposed development depict a colorful makeover of the existing building fronting Bellflower Boulevard.  The new construction to the west, designed by WHA, would is depicted with an exterior consisting of brick, stucco, glass, and steel.

According to the project's initial study, construction is anticipated to begin in March 2021 and be completed by March 2023.  This schedule would be contingent on approvals from the City of Bellflower.

The West Santa Ana Branch light rail line, stretching roughly 20 miles between Downtown Los Angeles and the City of Artesia, will reuse of a historic Pacific Electric streetcar right-of-way - a portion of which runs through the City of Bellflower.  Metro could possibly open the line in two phases, the first of which could be operable near the year 2028.

The transportation agency has drafted development scenarios for the neighborhoods surrounding new stations along the corridor, envisioning plans for new housing, retail, and active transportation amenities.  Some jurisdictions, including the City of South Gate, have also embarked on independent efforts to plan for development around the transit stops.  Others, such as the City of Bellflower, are building parking structures to serve both transit patrons and nearby businesses.

Serrano Development Group's other projects include a similar mixed-use project in Downtown Glendale which houses a Laemmle Theater on its ground floor.