Little Tokyo Gets Out of Jail (2 of 2)

What actually goes on the block remains a question. The city is still proposing placing LAPD Headquarters and the Fire and Emergency Response Centers on the site. Many community members are opposed to anything on the site unless it is community use facilities. Out of the campaign, the community united behind four general principles by which to measure future developments. The city, despite a history of ignoring the community, are now listening to community concerns about placement, massing, and traffic. It is also talking about building open space for the community, a possible space for community use, and public access to the city’s other facilities such as the child care center and outdoor basketball courts.

The jail construction threatened the revival of Little Tokyo as a residential community, which has been making some progress recently since downtown urban renewal destroyed much of the historic community. Little Tokyo has begun to do more planning for its future, beginning with a “charette” or “community workshop” for the site. The City plans to document all comments and publish them all as findings in an official report. A Steering Committee appointed by Perry will review the document and determine ways to get feedback from the community participants on the conclusions.

Little Tokyo won something that was partial, but significant. Through this struggle, Little Tokyo united much of the community. It has forced City Hall to take notice of the community. Many in the community such as LTSC and J-town Voice plan to intensify community organizing to assure the future of Little Tokyo.