Leaders Praise Housing Complex

The construction scaffolding still surrounds an unfinished Pico Aliso senior citizens housing complex in Boyle Heights.

But community leaders nonetheless gathered Thursday beneath the $6.5-million structure’s wood skeleton at 1st and Clarence streets to celebrate what they see as another manifestation of a long-awaited neighborhood renaissance.

Navigating around the mud from recent rains, a crowd of about 90 toured the 75-unit complex, which they hope will be the center of a flurry of new activity.

What was for years a dilapidated corner of the nearly demolished Pico Aliso public housing projects will by autumn be home to new low-income housing for senior citizens who will be able to enjoy their own library, community room and a view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline, about a mile west.

By 2003, the community will see a combination of 436 low-income townhomes and single-family houses rise on the former site of 577 public housing units, Housing Authority officials said. The authority began tearing down the units in the late 1990s to make way for the current project.

Most of the former residents displaced by the Pico Aliso demolition will get the first chance at the new homes, while the others will remain in federally subsidized housing in different areas of the city, agency officials said.

More improvements are also in store for the neighborhood, which is near the Dolores Mission Catholic Church. In 2003 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to begin construction on a stop for a light-rail line extension. The area also is within walking distance of the White Memorial Medical Center, which by 2008 will be completely refurbished.

“There is a lot of movement in this area,� Housing Authority chief Donald Smith said. “When we started the renovation, the community was very skeptical and didn’t think we would build back.�

Although it is unfinished, the complex “is a testament to our commitment,� he said.

Councilman Nick Pacheco predicted that the complex will indirectly allow more young families to own homes in Boyle Heights as elderly homeowners left behind by their grown children put their houses up for sale and seek smaller accommodations.

To qualify for residency in the one- and two-bedroom apartments at the new site, applicants must be older than 62 with annual incomes of less than $18,250 for individuals, or less than $20,850 for couples.

Although new residents will probably be unable to move into those homes before October, David Lizarraga, chief executive officer of the East Los Angeles Community Union, said it’s important to have fanfare for this and other area improvements now. His organization is developing the senior citizens complex with federal and city housing funds.

“It helps convince the community that there is a real investment taking place here,� Lizarraga said. “It shows there is real physical change taking place here.�