A plan to transform a long-vacant two-acre lot near City Hall into an art park has drawn criticism from some downtown Los Angeles residents and a prominent labor union, who argue the deal was not transparent and deviates from previous promises for a public park.
AltaMed Health Services is leasing the site at 1st Street and Broadway through February for $175,000. The nonprofit intends to develop "El Corazón Art Park," featuring a gallery for Mexican and Chicano art, 30 trees, a health center, and a large video screen. This initiative faces opposition from community members who feel the process lacked transparency and that the lot was previously earmarked for a city-operated park. Concerns have also been raised that AltaMed may have long-term intentions for the space.
Jens Midthun, head of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, expressed frustration that the community, which he stated had long been promised a park, was not involved in the decision-making process. AltaMed, a health services provider with over 40 medical centers, emphasizes its mission to address healthcare disparities in Latino and multi-ethnic communities. The organization's CEO, Cástulo de la Rocha, has ties to Mayor Karen Bass, having served on her transition team and contributed significantly to her reelection campaign. A spokesperson for the Mayor defended the plan, highlighting the lot's decades-long vacancy and the cultural significance of an art space honoring Chicano and Mexican heritage.
AltaMed stated that the art park will be a vibrant, publicly accessible space offering free cultural programming and wellness services at no cost to taxpayers, having undergone the city's public review process. However, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721, representing over 100,000 public sector employees, has also voiced opposition. The union, whose members reside in downtown L.A. and support a public park development, contends the plan should have undergone a more rigorous environmental review and questions the clarity regarding potential admission fees, the integration of health services, and the planned digital billboard for sponsors.
The vacant lot has a history dating back to the demolition of the California State Building after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. In 2013, the city acquired and cleared the site for $10 million, announcing plans for a park as part of former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "50 Parks Initiative." A design competition was held in 2016, with completion initially expected by 2019. However, funding issues led to the park plan being shelved in 2023, with allocated funds redirected to other projects.
Internal communications reveal that AltaMed began discussing its plans with high-level city officials, including Mayor Bass, as early as 2024. Initial proposals from AltaMed envisioned a long-term ground lease for a museum, restaurant, and clinic. However, the approved plan involves a temporary, one-year lease for the art park. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes the site, supported the temporary activation but stressed the need for transparency in any future permanent development discussions. Despite SEIU 721's appeal being rejected by the City Council, residents and the union remain concerned about the process and the potential implications for future land use decisions.
