The Budokan of Los Angeles, a longtime goal of many Little Tokyo stakeholders, has passed the 90 percent mark in its fundraising campaign and is scheduled to break ground this summer.

The $25-million project, slated for a City-owned parking lot near the corner of 2nd and Los Angeles Streets, will be a multi-purpose sports and activities center capable of accommodationg martial arts tournaments, performances basketball and volleyball games, senior programs and youth activities.  Plans also call for a roof level garden and children's play area.

Updated renderings show that the Budokan has abandoned its previous designs for a modern building clad with yellow-tinged aluminum panels.  Instead, the revised plan shows a less ostentatious structure wrapped with wood-like and translucent white materials.

The earlier iteration of the project were designed by Gruen Associates, and prior to that, prominent Little Tokyo architect Hayahiko Takase.

An opening is now expected in 2018.

On a parking lot next-door, developer Holland Partner Group is nearing completion on an eight-story mixed-use building with more than 200 apartments.