Near the intersection of La Brea Avenue and Coliseum Street, the leader of a carpenter’s union shouted to his crew Wednesday morning.
“Are you guys ready to build this project?” he said. The crew cheered.
The carpenters were present for the groundbreaking of an 800-unit apartment building, with nearly 200 units set aside for low-income affordable housing. A Costco Wholesale store will serve as a downstairs neighbor and ground-level tenant.
The building, along with the store, isn’t expected to be finished and open for two and a half years.
It will feature a fitness center, community rooms and even a rooftop pool. It will be built as the first project in Los Angeles under California’s Affordable Housing and High Road Act that took effect July 1 of last year. The bill is supposed to expedite affordable and sustainable housing projects in communities across California.
Costco estimates that its newest location will provide up to 400 jobs. The store will feature a pharmacy, optical services and a delivery service.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the building and the store will benefit South L.A. by providing retail, housing and jobs without displacing residents.
“It’s exactly what Los Angeles needs,” Bass said.
South L.A. has long been considered a food desert with limited options for fresh groceries.
Kayla De Le Haye, who directs USC’s Institute for Food System Equity, said she was glad to see the groundbreaking of a Costco that local residents can walk to.
“One in three of our residents are food insecure,” she said. “So addressing this issue in South L.A. and providing people with more affordable food options is also really in service of trying to help folks that are struggling to get enough food.”
Back at USC, students said they also look forward to the addition of a nearby Costco for buying groceries.
First-year business administration major Marissa Sanchez said that while she may only buy groceries when needed at the moment, the opportunity to buy in bulk is enticing.
“The value’s better,” she said. “But the membership might be a little bit too expensive for me as of right now.”
Jarod Mendoza, a materials engineering graduate student, said he believes students may choose to shop at Costco instead of the USC Village once it opens.
“I think it’ll probably drive away some customers from Target and Trader Joe’s,” he said. “I think it’ll change our habits for sure.”