Skid Row Redevelopment Project to Aid Residents

The Skid Row Development Corp. hopes to provide new jobs for 300 to 400 of the area’s residents this winter through the renovation of the former Air Quality Management building--now the Renaissance Building--at 4th and San Pedro streets in the middle of Skid Row.

The $2.6-million renovation has been begun by Kennard Design Group, architects, and Mega Construction Co., a general contractor, to provide office, retail and light manufacturing facilities in the 66,000-square-foot building, which dates from 1929. The leasing agent is the Donaty Group.

The 39,000-square-foot first phase, which includes the lower three floors, is scheduled for completion in February and reconstruction of floors four through six will follow. The building is part of the Central East redevelopment area, adjacent to Little Tokyo.

The Skid Row corporation is looking for a firm to design and train, if necessary, a significant percentage of local residents in low-skill jobs. The redevelopment was made possible by Councilman Gilbert Lindsey; city, county, state and federal agencies, and private foundations.