No Jail in Little Tokyo

The City of Los Angeles recently began a planning process to build a new Police Headquarters, a Jail, Emergency Operations Center, Fire Station, and other facilities next to the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo. These safety and emergency functions, especially a jail, pose an immediate threat to the functioning of the historic Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, and a longer term threat to the growth and sustainability of two important communities.

Little Tokyo and the Arts District are Downtown Los Angeles communities that have, through long struggles and perseverance, become significant cultural and historic centers in the City of Los Angeles. The land at 1st street and Alameda St., next to the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, is of considerable importance to both Little Tokyo as well as the Arts District.

This land, if properly planned for community uses, would potentially serve many purposes including: (1) an important key to rebuilding the Little Tokyo community-which has been displaced numerous times since World War II Internment, (2) a gateway to Little Tokyo and the Arts District, (3) an urban mixed-use, pedestrian friendly hub surrounding a future light-rail stop. The City of Los Angeles should reconsider the current proposal and recognize the immense potential benefits this land brings to Little Tokyo, the Arts District, and the culture of the city.

We, the undersigned,
- Support the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in maintaining both their land and an appropriate environment for their functioning

- Oppose the LA City proposal for a new LAPD headquarters, 500+ bed Jail, and Emergency Operations Center located next to the temple, due to security, noise, traffic and disruption concerns, and lack of community involvement in the planning process

- Demand a full and public planning process for the block that includes input by the affected historic and residential neighborhoods of Little Tokyo and the Arts District.