Construction Finally Starts on Jordan Downs Redevelopment Project

With a shovel of dirt, city leaders and developers officially started construction on the Jordan Downs housing project at a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week in Watts. Improvements have been promised for decades on the neglected building which was originally built as semi-permanent housing for factory workers during WWII. It was repurposed into low income housing in 1955. 

Phase 1A of the project will be handled by developer Bridge Housing, a developer based in San Francisco, who will be building the first 115 apartments. The project will incorporate modern energy efficient construction as well as community spaces such as a kitchen, lounge and computer room, says BRIDGE spokesperson Lyn Hikida who estimates that construction will be completed by fall of 2018.

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles wants to eventually create a mixed income urban village with no fewer than 710 new apartments, townhomes, 9 acres of green space and a community center. Approximately 165,000 square feet of restaurants and stores and neighborhood programs and services is also planned for the area.