Known as “The Great Stone Mother,” the massive Art Deco structure in Boyle Heights is impossible to overlook. TheLos Angeles General Hospital looms over the 10 and 5 freeways and is a permanent feature of east L.A.’s skyline. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors aims to maintain it in this manner.
On Tuesday, managers decided to initiate the procedure for adding the campus to the National Register of Historic Places.
Authorities mentioned that the classification might be a turning point in the county’s initiatives to revitalize the hospital, which is currently in the initial phase of renovation.
Today marks the result of almost ten years of effort, fueled by and carried out in collaboration with our community,” said L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis. “It brings together multiple significant and essential projects to make a long-anticipated vision a reality—the development of what we refer to as a Healthy Village on the L.A. General Medical Center grounds.
What is known about Health Village
The proposal was given the go-ahead in 2023 to transform the general hospital into a community-centered facility, known as theHealth VillageIt detailed proposals to incorporate low-cost housing, medical facilities, and retail stores, along with linking individuals to healthcare services.
The initiative to seek historic status was a component of the board’s choice to advance to the subsequent stage of the project’s overall plan, which involves conducting technical and environmental assessments, performing site inspections, and identifying potential community advantages.
More on the project
Work is still in the initial phases, as stated in county records.
Approximately $3.3 million has been allocated to support the planning stage that was approved on Tuesday. The initiative to transform the 25-acre area is anticipated to cost almost $1 billion, with the county having already committed $134 million from local, state, and federal funding. Additionally, the county plans to seek tax incentives, public assistance, and private investment to completely finance the project.
The preparation stage is anticipated to conclude by the end of next year.
The historical status would imply that as development proceeds, builders must maintain the structure’s Art Deco style, ensuring the preservation of the famous concrete sculptures at the entrance or the ceiling frescoes illustrating the Greek god of healing and his offspring.
I’ve received clear feedback from many of my residents that it’s crucial we maintain this institution… and that it definitely shouldn’t be demolished,” Solis stated. “Through a distinctive public-private collaboration, we have utilized state and federal funds to convert this famous structure into as many as 700 housing units.
It may also enable the county to receive tax credits that would help fund recovery programs.
Great Stone Mother’s history
The the hospital was constructed in 1933 following the Great Depression.
In 1978, the medical facility was at the heart of acivil rights collective lawsuitsubmitted by 10 Mexican-American women who claimed they were compelled to have sterilization operations.
The court decided against the women, stating that the sterilizations occurred due to communication difficulties. This case led to state-wide modifications in sterilization practices and the introduction of multilingual information.
In 1994, the Northridge earthquake caused considerable harm to the structure. The hospital has remained largely closed since 2008, having been succeeded by a 600-bed facility that commenced operations in the same year.
“This not only meets our current requirements, but also rectifies past actions that limited housing in the area when the last county-built hospital, the new 600-bed medical facility, was constructed more than ten years ago,” Solis stated.
