A city-owned property that currently houses an adoption agency is being pitched as a development site for affordable housing, according to a motion introduced on September 27 by Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.

The property, a corner lot at 1345 N. El Centro Avenue in Hollywood, is just over 16,000 square feet in size and sits two blocks south of Sunset Boulevard. The site, which also has frontage on Afton Avenue, is currently improved with a series of small two-story structures.

In his motion, Soto-Martinez points to an ongoing shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles, as well as the potential to find "higher and better uses" for city-owned real estate. The motion would direct the City Administrative Officer, as well as other relevant departments, to initiate a review of 1345 N. El Centro Avenue and report back within 60 days on its suitability for redevelopment, as well as a cost benefit analysis of continuing to lease the site prior to redevelopment.

1345 N El Centro AvenueGoogle Street View

The item has been referred to the Housing & Homelessness and Government Operations Committees for consideration.

The El Centro site is located a within walking distance of a busy stretch of Sunset which has recently seen the construction of several large mixed-income developments, including the 270-unit Hanover Hollywood apartments. That complex also sits directly across the street from the Hollywood Palladium, which could be flanked by a pair of high-rise residential towers in the near future under plans from Crescent Heights.

Likewise, the property sits just east of Vine street, where developers such as Onni Group have large mixed-use residential projects in the works.

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