California Construction News staff writer
The Jordan Downs redevelopment project in Watts will get an $11 million federal funding boost to create a flexible lawn meadow that will double as a soccer and futsal field, two basketball courts, walking paths, lighting, seating areas, and an accessible community pool, among other amenities.
“I want to thank Secretary Deb Haaland for her work in this historic funding for parks across the nation,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a recent statement. “This will help us continue our environmentally friendly redevelopment efforts in Jordan Downs, promoting housing and bike and walking paths.”
HACLA is currently engaged in a comprehensive revitalization of the Jordan Downs community, which consists of 700 public housing units. Working with partners such as Bridge Housing and The Michaels Organization, HACLA’s plan includes new housing developments, a neighborhood retail center, job opportunities, childcare facilities, and enhanced infrastructure—all without displacing existing residents.
Once completed, the Jordan Downs community will feature 1,569 new affordable and market-rate housing units, a large community center, and nine acres of new parks. The original Jordan Downs housing complex, built in the 1940s, has undergone significant changes since its conversion to public housing in the 1950s due to deteriorating conditions.
The park’s development is a key component of HACLA’s long-term vision for Jordan Downs, aiming to create a vibrant community where residents can thrive.
The funding announcement is part of a larger investment from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP), which is allocating a total of $254.68 million to 54 projects across 24 states.
