Little Tokyo Project to Rise

In a ceremony that began with a traditional Shinto blessing, Community Redevelopment Agency officials and developers broke ground Tuesday on a $32-million housing and retail complex in Little Tokyo.

Standing before a temporary altar near 2nd Street and Central Avenue, the Rev. Alfred Tsuyuki prayed for the success of the project -- 102 market-rate apartments, 26 apartments for very low-income people, 12,500 square feet of retail space and two subterranean parking levels with 160 spaces.

“Let us continue to be mindful of the bounty received from this good earth.... All too often we have taken the ground for granted,” Tsuyuki said.

Bill Witte, principal with the Related Companies of California, said the project will contribute to the continuation of a trend: people migrating to the central city area to be closer to their jobs.

“What you’re seeing in general in downtown is people who are moving from the Westside and the Valley,” Witte said. “There are opportunities to live in a mixed-use urban setting that didn’t exist before.”

Students, artists and professionals are also expected to rent in the project, said Shu Kwan Woo, vice chairman of the CRA’s board of commissioners. Woo said the project will give local business a broad consumer base.

The 2nd Street-Central Avenue intersection is already a vibrant location, officials said. Across the street from the project site is a strip of businesses, including a Starbucks and Quizno’s.

Just up the street is the Japanese American National Museum.

A Gold Line station is scheduled for the area in 2009.

“Everything is lined up to ensure and maintain success here,” Woo said.

The project is a joint venture between the Related Companies of California and MacFarlane Partners. Little Tokyo community leaders, the CRA and city officials offered advice and support on the project.

In 1984, the CRA bought the land and used it as a parking lot for many years. The CRA is providing the developers about $4.2 million: the land, valued at about $1 million, and a $3.2-million loan. Witte praised the city for the assistance, which was essential to the project moving forward.

“This city has been unfairly maligned over time as a difficult city to do business,” Witte said.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2005.