L.A. City Council Passes Key Measure in Redevelopment of First Street North; GFBNEC Cites Support of Councilmember Huizar, Little Tokyo Service Center
Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) today announced that the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a long-term lease agreement that paves the way to expand GFBNEC’s permanent facilities as part of a major mixed-use development in the historic Little Tokyo district.
The lease agreement grants GFBNEC control over a key parcel of land located directly north of the Go For Broke Monument Plans call for the construction of a five-story, transit-oriented development that will house GFBNEC’s permanent exhibit areas and administrative offices, along with commercial space and low-income housing for military veterans and families. The monument, which will mark its 20th anniversary this month, honors more than 16,000 Japanese American World War II veterans who fought to defend the U.S. despite the incarceration of approximately 120,000 legal residents and citizens of Japanese ancestry.
Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, GFBNEC’s Chief Executive Officer and President, cited the efforts of City Councilmember José Huizar and the District 14 staff, along with the Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC), for their work in helping to ensure the future of GFBNEC and the historic Little Tokyo district. The lease is one element of a master plan for the First Street North area, which will include much-needed green space and easy access to mass transit to attract visitors from around the region.
“We’re delighted with the passage of this lease,” Maki said. “It’s truly a win-win for the City of Los Angeles, Little Tokyo and GFBNEC. We will now be able to work on developing a permanent location for GFBNEC right next to our Monument, which will help to create an attractive, vibrant element of the First Street North area. We also will be building much-needed housing for the area, which will be located in the heart of Little Tokyo’s unique mix of historic and cultural institutions.”
“It was my distinct pleasure to lead the effort in garnering City Council support for this long-term lease,” Councilmember José Huizar said. “Go For Broke National Education Center pays tribute to Japanese American soldiers who in the face of extreme racism and prejudice showed our nation what true American Patriotism looks like. GFBNEC is going to be a profound addition to Little Tokyo, educating and engaging future generations about the many and distinct contributions Japanese Americans have made, and continue to make, to our City and Country.”
LTSC welcomed the Council’s vote as a major step in the site’s redevelopment. “This is exciting!” Takao Suzuki, LTSC’s Director of Community Economic Development, said. “With the amended ground lease in hand, we can now proceed with conducting the environmental due diligence for a much-needed mixed-use, transit-oriented affordable housing development on the historic block of Little Tokyo. Today’s approval of the amended ground lease is a testament to the strength of our partnership with the City, community and Go For Broke National Education Center.”
Note to Media: “Go For Broke” was the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated Army unit composed of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland. The term was Hawaiian slang for “shooting the works,” or risking everything for the big win in gambling—as the Nisei soldiers did while fighting in the field in WWII and facing prejudice at home in the U.S.
About Go For Broke National Education Center
Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates the public on the valor of Japanese American veterans of World War II and their contributions to democracy. Our goal is to inspire new generations to embody the Nisei veterans core values of courage, sacrifice, equality, humility and patriotism. Founded in 1989, GFBNEC maintains the Go For Broke Monument and the interactive Defining Courage exhibition in downtown Los Angeles, as well as extensive oral histories and archives, education and training programs, and other initiatives. For more information, please visit www.goforbroke.org.
Media Contact:
Pauline Yoshihashi
Strategic Communications
For GFBNEC
323-683-8191 Direct
pyoshihashi@earthlink.net