The 4th & Central (Cold Storage) Project – a large development project being proposed at the southeast edge of Little Tokyo – was approved by the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday, June 30.
The project, originally introduced to the Little Tokyo community four years ago, proposes 10 buildings and 2.3 million square feet of floor area across over 7 acres, neighboring Little Tokyo and partly within Skid Row boundaries. The project will include mostly market-rate units and some affordable units.
After a years-long campaign opposing the project, the Little Tokyo Community Council has reached an agreement with the project team, brokered by Council District 14, and have signed a Community Benefits Agreement. While no development of this size is without challenges, the final project reflects years of dialogue, negotiation, and persistence to ensure that growth is paired with investments that help preserve Little Tokyo’s cultural identity, improve neighborhood connectivity, and strengthen the community’s resilience.
We appreciate the Little Tokyo and Skid Row community partners who gave years of time and energy to this, and to Councilmember Ysabel Jurado and the CD14 team for their leadership and support in the negotiations.
Here’s what LTCC secured in the Community Benefits Agreement:
- Additional 0.5% ELI housing
- Restrictions on alcohol sales and protection of public health
- 2,500 sq.ft. of commercial retail space at 50% discounted rate, reserved for community-serving businesses and nonprofits in Little Tokyo and Skid Row
- Community Investment Fund, with an immediate payout of $250k when the project is approved, plus up to $700k total when construction is completed
We are proud of all the wins secured through the campaign and negotiations, which was only possible through the work, time, and support of our partners in the Little Tokyo and Skid Row communities.
Lastly, we hope this project serves as a model for future developments— one where developers, public agencies, and local communities work together from the outset to create projects that deliver lasting public benefits alongside private investment. Historic and cultural neighborhoods such as Little Tokyo are a large part of our city’s unique character and identity, and sup-porting community-driven resiliency frameworks and strategies is critical.
While this chapter of LTCC’s campaign ends, please keep an eye out for future updates in regards to the Community Investment Fund, commercial space, etc., as negotiated in our Community Benefits Agreement, when LTCC’s meetings continue in August.
In community,
Little Tokyo Community Council