The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday approved a memorandum of understanding with LA Metro for the development of two publicly owned parcels in Little Tokyo, which city officials said emphasizes their commitment to the preservation of culture and history of the community.
The motion, presented by Councilman Kevin de León, applies to the city-owned Mangrove site at First and Alameda streets, and the Metro-owned regional connector site at First Street and Central Avenue.
“The develop of these parcels presents in invaluable opportunity for the city of Los Angeles and Metro to collaborate with the Little Tokyo community in promoting justice and correcting the wrongs of the past,” de León said in a statement. “Meaningful development at these sites offers an opportunity to demonstrate the city’s and Metro’s commitment to supporting social equity, affordable housing, economic sustainability and cultural preservation.”
The motion specifies the Economic Workforce Development Department to serve as the lead city department for the proposed development of the two sites. The developments are part of the community’s Sustainable Little Tokyo vision, which seeks to preserve and maintain the neighborhood character of Little Tokyo while also offering affordable housing.
According to de León, when Executive Order 9066 was signed in 1942, which ordered the Japanese American Internment during the early period of World War II, it had a devastating impact on the Japanese American community in Little Tokyo and beyond.
The internment and subsequent sale of Little Tokyo land resulted in the loss of businesses, homes and community institutions, and the redevelopment project represents an ongoing effort to restore a long-term historic injustice, de León said in the statement.