The San Fernando Valley has always been Los Angeles’ more suburban sibling, but some of that dynamic is already well on its way to changing. Recently, Curbed LA spoke to Burbank Mayor Will Rogers about how his city is leading the way toward a new future for the Valley.

The biggest opportunity to redevelop the 104,000-resident city lies in the now-abandoned IKEA retail location downtown, which will now be converted to over 1,000 housing units -- including 70 condos for sale at 800 North San Fernando Boulevard. Burbank Town Center is proposing an entirely new neighborhood in the surrounding area, with retail and restaurant options, along with increased walkability.

Rendering Courtesy of I Heart Burbank

Along with the Burbank Town Center plan, Curbed details how the city is already ahead of the curve by managing its own utilities, bike paths, and a horse transportation zone. Quick transportation in and out of Burbank is already feasible, with a bus system, Amtrak, Metrolink, and its commercial airport.

While the $60 million Town Center renovation is scheduled to be completed in December 2017, the housing aspect of the neighborhood has not yet begun. According to iHeartBurbank, the city’s added just 55 residential units since 2011 -- creating a housing crisis for the growing area. 

As Burbank continues to boom (it’s on pace to add 15,000 more jobs within the next 18 years), Town Center’s development will be critical to keeping up with lagging housing demand. But with its mayor on board, Burbank appears up to the task.