The “Portraits of Little Tokyo Towers” mural illustrated by Shizu Saldamando memorializes the four organizations — Los Angeles Buddhist Church Federation, the Southern California Christian Church Federation, the Southern California Gardeners Federation and the Pacific Southwest District Council of JACL — that came together to form Little Tokyo Towers in the 1970s. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
A five-yearlong renovation, rehabilitation finishes just short of its 50th birthday.
By George Toshio Johnston, Senior Editor
‘Ladies and gentlemen, can you believe that the Little Tokyo Towers is nearly 50 years old?” asked Brian Yamasaki, Little Tokyo Towers board of directors member and event master of ceremonies, at the Oct. 26 rededication festivities for the facility.
Photo of the Feb. 2, 1975 groundbreaking for Little Tokyo Towers (Photo: Pacific Citizen Archive)
It was a very believable query for the nonprofit Little Tokyo Towers, which was built in 1975 for $8 million as part of the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project to “address the need for safe and affordable housing for the aging members of the Japanese American community.” The intervening decades necessitated much-needed renovations and rehabilitation for the 16-story, 301 apartment building.
Five years earlier, when the estimated cost was more than $50 million — it has increased — and the time for completion was a little more than a year, it had become apparent that renovations for Little Tokyo Towers were unavoidable. By Q3 of 2024, however, most of that was in the past.
Brian Yamasaki performs master of ceremonies duties at the Oct. 26 rededication of Little Tokyo Towers. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
“Today, we have a lot to celebrate” said Yamasaki. “After nearly 50 years, the Towers complex is completely remodeled for the safety and quality of the life for our residents for the next century.
“We have completed a comprehensive seismic retrofit, upgraded the elevator systems, modernized all apartment units, installed energy-efficient windows, repaired and replaced key systems like plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Additionally, the entire first floor has been remodeled, including an enhanced audio-video system in this great hall. That’s what I’m using right now,” said Yamasaki.
It was the culmination of the latest chapter for Little Tokyo Towers, which began in 1971 via the Little Tokyo Community Development Advisory Committee, which begat the joint-partnership of the Los Angeles Buddhist Church Federation, the Southern California Christian Church Federation, the Southern California Gardeners Federation and the Pacific Southwest District Council of JACL.
The rededication included bookended performances by Taiko Center of Los Angeles and the Grateful Crane Ensemble, remarks by board of directors Secretary Miniver Choi and blessings from Rev. Dr. Richard Kuyama and Rev. Shumyo Kojima.
Helen Ota, Jason Fong and Haruye Ioka of Grateful Crane Ensemble perform at the Little Tokyo Towers rededication on Oct. 26. (Photo: George Toshio Johnston)
In his address, Yamasaki name-checked the other Little Tokyo Towers board of directors: Bob Kawahara (president), Kent Kawai (vp), Lisa Arakaki (treasurer), Choi (secretary), Rev. Bill Briones, Roger Ishihara, Ryan Iwasaka, Rev. Shumyo Kojima, Rev. Dr. Richard Kuyama, Jamie Morishima, Amber Murakami-Fester, Kazuo Oda, Mariko Rooks, Rev. Abe Shiraiwa and Nancy Takayama.
Yamasaki also recognized other notables: Department of Housing and Urban Development, West Regional Asset Management Branch Chief Christina Wong; field representative Eric Moon; Consul Aya Ishii, representing Council General Kenko Sone of Japan for Los Angeles; Wende King and Royal Property Management; former board member Glenn Sanada; board consultant and financial adviser Mitch Thompson; attorney Jason Hobson; Little Tokyo Service Center; Colin Rice and David Beacham of the RAHD group; construction project manager Mark O’Brien, Alliant Construction Management; Tyler Kramer of construction company Icon National; OWIU Design; resident relocation coordinator Jason Arakaki; board project manager Susan Kun; artist Nancy Uyemura (creator of the Bee Connected tile mural in front of the building); artist Shizu Saldamando (illustrator of the “Portraits of Little Tokyo Towers” mural); artist Mike Saijo; and photographer Alan Miyatake of Toyo Miyatake Studio.
“I would like to acknowledge the Little Tokyo residents who have shown incredible patience throughout the construction process,” said Yamasaki. He added, with his voice breaking, “It’s because of the residents — you guys are the heart and soul of the Towers and their reasons for existence.”
