In response to the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts are being made in LA County Supervisorial District 1 to provide individuals with affordable housing options, particularly those who are struggling to make ends meet and are living below the federal poverty level. There has been a shortage of affordable housing in LA County for some time, and this problem has increased significantly since the pandemic due to the effects of people experiencing health issues such as long COVID, and economic issues such as loss of employment. Improvements to the project site (historic General Hospital and portions of West Campus, adjacent to the new LA General Hospital), would be very advantageous to the target population.
The end result for the stabilization project may create the pre-conditions in general hospital and portions of west campus to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide wraparound services. Approval of such a project would be subject to Board consideration and completion of necessary documentation and findings related to the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The Board may modify, propose alternatives to or require mitigation or may decide not to move forward with a project.
On January 25, 2023 the County of Los Angeles (County) Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a proposed mixed-use development including affordable housing with wraparound services in the historic General Hospital building, and new construction on portions of West Campus on the County’s LAC+USC Medical Center campus (renamed as the Los Angeles General Medical Center on May 3, 2023).
The County’s proposed vision for the Project Site is a collaborative Public Private Partnership mixed-use project which includes affordable and market rate housing, commercial spaces, office and economic opportunity spaces, community-oriented space, open space, adequate parking, and other infrastructure. This vision is centered on the “Healthy Vision” concept, which aims to support the most vulnerable populations and address critical community needs such as a mission-aligned reuse of the historic General Hospital building; low-income and high-need population affordable housing, and wrap-around community services informed by the Whole Person Care concept and built on a foundation of robust community engagement.
Key milestones in the journey to revitalize this historic County asset and address the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community include:
a. November 2018: Supervisor Hilda L. Solis authored a Board Motion directing the County’s Chief Executive Office (CEO) to prepare a feasibility study for the adaptive reuse of the County’s 1.2 million square foot General Hospital; West Campus was added later.
b. April 2022: the CEO submitted the General Hospital and West Campus Feasibility Study to the Board of Supervisors (the Board); the Study envisions the combined renovation of historic General Hospital and redevelopment of portions of West Campus, centered on a “Reuse Framework” reflecting community priorities and uses, County requirements, and technical considerations.
c. December 2022: $129 million in funding has been identified ($24 million in Capital Project No. 87883, $55 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, and $50 million in State Housing and Community Development funds)
d. January 2023: the DEO posted a Request for Proposals for a mixed-use development with affordable housing through a public-private partnership
e. June 2023: developer proposals were submitted
f. October 2023: the Board approved the selected developer (Centennial Partners)
g. December 2023: the Board approved initiating the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) process with Centennial Partners
h. June 2024: the Board authorized extending the ENA negotiation period to 36 months
i. July 2024: the County executed the ENA with Centennial Partners; during this process the County will negotiate and finalize all elements of the proposed project design, including outreach to community stakeholders
j. June 2025: advance a standalone stabilization project of the campus for Board consideration
k. By the Summer 2026: Proposed stabilization project approval would be submitted for Board of Supervisors approval, including necessary CEQA approvals; the Board would have considered approval of recommended developer and lease agreements; if necessary approvals are provided by the Board, portions of the property would be under control of the Developer; and construction would be underway
l. December 2027: If approved, the stabilization project would be complete.