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Council Continues Vote on Hollywood & Highland Redevelopment Over Living-wage, HUD Funding Questions
Summary
Councilmembers voted to continue consideration of the live-broadcast theater and related HUD funding tied to the Hollywood & Highland project after public comment raised concerns about tenants not being bound by the city’s living-wage goals and the use of HUD funds to cover land acquisition costs in the development agreement.
The City Council continued consideration of an item related to the Hollywood & Highland live-broadcast theater and associated federal HUD funds after public testimony and council questions about living wages and how HUD money would be used.
Why it matters: The project promises jobs and redevelopment for Hollywood but critics and labor advocates told the council the tenants in the planned retail center are unlikely to pay living wages. Councilmembers expressed a need for clearer answers before authorizing the CRA to proceed with agreements that enable the use of HUD funds.
Public comment included supporters who described the development as a major economic opportunity and opponents who said HUD funds or other city subsidies should not subsidize low-wage retail jobs. Sonia Ransom (representing TriZicon/CRA discussions) explained HUD funds would be routed through the Community Development Department and the CRA and would be used to cover a portion of land acquisition costs the redevelopment agreement requires. Several members of the Living Wage Coalition said voluntary agreements with tenants had not produced living-wage jobs as hoped.
Councilmember Garcetti asked for clearer information on how many tenants will pay living wages and the current status of tenant commitments; TriZicon’s representative offered to follow up with the council. After debate, Garcetti moved and the council approved a one-week continuance so new members could review the information and staff could provide detailed responses about living-wage compliance and the HUD funding status.
Action: The council voted to continue the item for one week.
