In January 2017, Metro received an Unsolicited Proposal from Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) Community Development Corporation for a joint development at the Vermont/Santa Monica Station.

After completing a review of the proposal per Metro’s Joint Development Unsolicited Proposal Policy, Metro decided to move forward with LTSC’s proposal. In March 2018 the Metro Board of Directors approved entering into negotiations with LTSC, which acquired some adjacent property to the station plaza. LTSC has now submitted its entitlements application to the city of Los Angeles. The next step is for LTSC to get the project approved by the city. After that happens, the Metro Board will consider a long-term agreement with LTSC to build the project.

This is a station that has been open since 1999, but development has been slow to come to the area. Vermont/Santa Monica is also a prime spot for transit — with subway service and very busy bus lines on both Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard.

Over the last year and half, LTSC has worked with community groups and Metro to refine the project, which will include approximately 190 affordable residential units for low-income households, with approximately half of those units reserved for families and individuals with special needs.

The project will also include approximately 20,000 square feet of ground floor retail and on-site supportive services for residents. The project will also provide new shade and seating on the station plaza for the more than 4,000 Metro riders who pass through Vermont/Santa Monica each day.

LTSC anticipates starting construction in 2021. More information on the project and process can be found here.

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