Mixed-Use Project Hailed as Transformative Investment in Downtown LA
LOS ANGELES—The City Planning Commission today unanimously voted to recommend approval of Fourth & Central, a transformative mixed-use project proposed for a Downtown gateway site currently being used for industrial purposes.
A diverse set of approximately 50 Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders, including social justice organizations, business organizations, organized labor, housing advocates, and area residents, turned out to speak in support of the project.
“We’ve spent years working on our plan to transform this industrial property into a mixed-use community, which made it so rewarding to hear city decision-makers agree with our vision,” said Larry Rauch, president of Los Angeles Cold Storage. “We are big believers in the potential of our city, and that’s why we have chosen to make this substantive investment in its future. The Fourth & Central project is all about creating something lasting for the Los Angeles community. We want our grandchildren to look at this some day and say, ‘They built something meaningful.’”
Proposed for a 7.6-acre site at 4th Street and Central Avenue currently occupied by LA Cold Storage, the plans for Fourth & Central call for 1,589 residential units with a minimum of 249 affordable units, along with 401,000 square feet of creative office space and 145,748 square feet of retail/restaurant space.
Fourth & Central proposes a resilient, sustainable community that will provide a variety of housing options and jobs. A master plan of the site proposes a total of 10 distinct buildings. Ranging in height from 2 to 30 stories, the structures house residential units, along with new office, retail, and restaurant space, plus substantial public open space on the street level linking the buildings to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Among those expressing support for the project included the LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, Little Tokyo Business Association, Union Rescue Mission, Central City Association, Abundant Housing LA, Central City East Association, DTLA Residents Association, and the Inner City Law Center. All underscored the importance of projects like Fourth & Central for the future of Downtown LA, pointing to its economic benefits and job creation. But the most frequent benefit cited was the new housing that would be created without causing displacement.
“We need more housing now, and the Fourth & Central project is the single largest opportunity to deliver privately funded deeply affordable homes with wrap-around supportive services to Skid Row and Downtown Los Angeles,” said Jed Leano of the Inner City Law Center. “It is very clear this project has gone above and beyond to provide meaningful benefits to the community. We applaud the development team and hope that this project serves as a model for future projects in Downtown Los Angeles.”
“We need transformative projects like Fourth & Central. This project represents a significant stride toward addressing the region’s housing challenges,” said Nella McOsker, President and CEO of the Central City Association. “Plus, the new retail and restaurant space will attract business and people to Downtown.”
“The LA/OC Building Trades have long prioritized recruiting Angelenos from disadvantaged backgrounds, including veterans, the formerly incarcerated, and those who’ve experienced homelessness,” said Ernesto Medrano, Executive Secretary of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. “Fourth & Central gives these workers a real pathway into lifelong careers with benefits, training, and dignity.”
“This project symbolizes what it means to do big things — responsibly, inclusively, and with a clear eye toward our shared future,” said Chris Rhie, Board Member of Urban Environmentalists. “We’re not just talking about buildings. We’re talking about a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable Los Angeles.”
As a result of input from community members, a number of revisions have been made to Fourth & Central since the project was initially proposed in 2021. The revisions include the tallest building located on the northern portion of the site has been reduced from 44 to 30 stories in height. In addition, the hotel use originally announced as part of the proposed project has been replaced by additional residential units, including an increased number of affordable housing units. The open space design has been enhanced to forge greater pedestrian connections directly to the Little Tokyo Galleria and to the north, and all 2 acres of the open space accessible to the public.
With the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the project now moves on to the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee for a vote before going on to the full City Council.
“Now with this historic vote we are one step closer to making that happen,” said Rauch. “We look forward to collaborating further with City Councilmember Jurado and her staff to realize this vision and make sure all community members benefit.”
For more information, please visit www.fourthandcentral.com.