A plan to redevelop a stretch of commercial buildings at 3433 W. 8th Street in Koreatown has received the approval of the Los Angeles City Council.

The proposal from Charles Park & Associates, dubbed "The Parks in LA," calls for the construction of a new eight-story building featuring 251 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments above 61,000 square feet of commercial space on the first and second floors. A two-level, 284-car subterranean parking garage would be located below the building.

3443 8th StreetGoogle Maps

Approved plans rely on density bonus incentives to permit larger structure than otherwise allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, 29 apartments would be set aside for rent as very low- and extremely low-income affordable housing.

Corbel Architects is designing The Parks, which would feature an interior promenade lined with shops and restaurants. A central courtyard is planned atop the building's podium, with other amenities such as a fitness center and a game room within the building itself.

Construction of The Parks is expected to occur over an 18-month period, according to an environmental report conducted for the project.

3443 8th StreetGoogle Maps

The City Council approval, which includes a general plan amendment and a zone change, was challenged by two appellants. Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility, an affiliate of Laborers International Union of North America Local 270, appealed an earlier approval by the City Planning Commission arguing that the project should be subject to further study under the California Environmental Quality Act. Additionally, appellant Nam Kim argued that the Parks should feature more affordable housing and parking. A staff report recommended denial of both appeals, citing a lack of evidence to support their claims.

The proposed project is the latest in a long series of new mixed-use projects to reshape the 8th Street corridor through Koreatown, including the Harper apartments at the opposite corner of 8th and Harvard and the Rise apartments one block to the west.

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