Developer pitches CRTISIA app and Artesia Boulevard revitalization during Redondo Beach public comment

During the Redondo Beach Youth Commission public comment period, Rick McQuillan, a South Bay tech developer and entrepreneur, introduced an app he said is intended to drive local commerce and support merchants along Artesia Boulevard and the South Bay Galleria.

McQuillan identified himself as a Manhattan Beach resident with a technology background and said he has worked with several area firms. He described an app called CRTISIA that would begin as a commerce map to draw people to Artesia and the Galleria and later evolve to include additional local commerce features. "At its core, CRTISIA will raise the relationship between buyers and local merchants," he said.

Why it matters: The commission heard public testimony that links local economic activity and youth engagement; Mr. McQuillan also offered potential opportunities for student participation in coding, testing and outreach.

What McQuillan said and offered

- App concept and goals. McQuillan said CRTISIA will start with a commerce map to direct people to merchants in the Artesia area and later expand. He described the project as scalable and said the team is exploring student participation in programming and outreach.

- Community activation. He said his Artesia community project includes art and events to increase foot traffic and address lost tax revenue tied to struggling merchants.

- Offers to the commission. McQuillan said he has briefed the City Council, mayoral candidates, and planning and arts commissions and is meeting with local partners to engage Redondo Union students. He offered to share information and provided his contact at rick@mcqcorp.com.

Follow up and staff note

Mr. McQuillan asked to distribute business cards and said he would follow up with staff. The commission did not take formal action on the proposal during the meeting.