FSN Site in Danger

With less than a month left in office, Councilwoman Rita Walters continues efforts to keep the Rec Center off of First Street North. On Friday, June 8, a motion came before the Los Angeles City Council that called for moving the planned site for the ChildrenÕs Museum from the corner of Temple and Alameda streets to the corner of Temple and Judge John Aiso streets. Though this is the location that the Little Tokyo Recreation Center has sought for years, and the block itself is the historic center of Little Tokyo, the community was not notified of the motion nor was any input requested.

Recreation Center board members and Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation (LTSC CDC) employees, concerned about the lack of public input in the decision-making process and denial of space for the Rec Center, spoke out at FridayÕs City Council hearing. ÒWe have always supported the ChildrenÕs Museum on First Street North. WeÕre just concerned that once again weÕve been excluded from the process, and may be left with no options on First Street North,Ó said Reverend Mark Nakagawa of Centenary United Methodist Church and Rec Center board member.

The 11 City Council members present granted Rec Center supporters 30 days to meet with the ChildrenÕs Museum and Chief Legislative AnalystÕs office to work out an alternative plan. The groups were directed to return to Council on Tuesday, July 10. By this time Jan Perry, Little TokyoÕs new Council member, will be in office. We believe that she will do a better job of listening to the needs and concerns of our community.