LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The re-burgenoning historic Central Avenue today will get a boost today when a constituent services center-bassically a satellite L.A. city hall--opens up at East 43rd Street. The Silver LEED-certified, $15-million, 9,000 square-foot building--formally a factory space--will house city departments like the Community Development Department and Building and Safety, field offices for 9th District Councilmember Jan Perry, a 1,500 square foot auditorium style community room and a kitchen that will host farmers market classes.
Part of that LEED status was solar power panels and a green roof--a first for a city building--featuring a garden of native plants. The building is also located in an urban park.
Speaking to the neighborhood, the LA Times earlier this week noted the efforts going into revitalizing the neighborhood. A new supermarket opened last September in a new mixed-use project, along with new schools, church rehabs and more mixed-use developments. Fresh & Easy is scheduled to open a store on February 24th and the famous Dunbar Hotel, now in disrepair as a housing unit, is set to be repaired while preserving its character.