After being criticized for opposing the redevelopment of Santa Barbara Plaza, Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas last week opened talks with developer Earvin “Magic” Johnson in hopes of moving forward on the Crenshaw shopping center’s rehabilitation.

Ridley-Thomas said he talked to Johnson last Tuesday by phone about plans to redevelop the 43-year-old, 21.5-acre Santa Barbara Plaza. Johnson Development Corp. says it will need funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency to move forward.

“I’m hopeful that (Johnson Development) will come to the conclusion that they can meet their obligations so we can do this deal and go on with it,” Ridley-Thomas said.

Supporters of the project claim Ridley-Thomas blocked the development after reading a Business Journal story in which Johnson expressed support for plans to build an NFL stadium in Carson. Ridley-Thomas, who is seeking an NFL franchise for the Coliseum, has denied any retaliation.

Ridley-Thomas said that in agreeing to help push the redevelopment of Santa Barbara Plaza forward, he did not ask Johnson to support the Coliseum as a future home for an NFL team. “I did not ask him to,” Ridley-Thomas said. “Why would I?”

Ken Lombard, president of Johnson Development, said he was hopeful that meetings between Ridley-Thomas and Johnson would help move the project forward. “We are all going in with open minds and a sincere commitment that everything will be resolved,” he said.