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Council continues Hollywood–Highland live-broadcast theater item, seeks tenant living-wage details
Summary
The council continued consideration of using HUD funds in the Hollywood–Highland redevelopment and asked staff to report back on whether tenants in the project will pay a living wage; members and public commenters urged fuller information before final approval.
The Los Angeles City Council continued a public hearing on a proposed live-broadcast theater and related redevelopment at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland for one week so the council can obtain information about tenant living-wage commitments and use of federal HUD funds.
During the hearing several public speakers expressed support for the project as an economic boost for Hollywood and for jobs tied to the development. "It is great for everybody. It's lots of jobs," said Larry Green, a local resident and Screen Actors Guild member, who supported the live-broadcast component.
Other speakers and living-wage advocates said the project has not produced the tenant-level living-wage commitments the council and community had hoped for. Madeline Janice Aparicio said prior voluntary agreements with the developer had not secured living-wage commitments from most tenants. "That was not a success," she said, adding it left a substantial share of tenant jobs as lower wage positions.
Sonia Ransom, speaking for the developer/agency side, said HUD funds at issue would reimburse costs CDD would otherwise cover and that CRA obligations under the development agreement remain in effect. She declined to answer detailed tenant questions during the hearing and offered to follow up with council offices after the meeting.
Councilmember Garcetti asked for specific data on the status of living-wage commitments and how many tenants, if any, are expected to pay a living wage. Garcetti then moved to continue the hearing one week to obtain those answers; the motion was seconded and the council approved the continuance.
The public record before the council shows the proposed use of federal funds to satisfy part of land-acquisition or related costs and that the project's developer and CRA have ongoing obligations under their development agreement. Council members from multiple districts urged staff to return with specifics about tenant agreements and the projected labor outcomes tied to the public money at stake.
