L.A. City Councilmember Antonio R. Villaraigosa hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday, July 17, 2004 at the site of the new Boyle Heights Technology and Recreation Center, located at Fourth Street and Gless across from the Pico Gardens housing development.

The Councilmember was joined by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard who was instrumental in securing federal funding to help pay for the project and Cord Bailey, Executive Director of Los Angeles Youth Opportunity Movement, the entity that will operate the facility.

The $10.9 million state-of-the art facility will be open to the public and will house computer rooms with 100 computers, a community room, and kitchen. Computer, animation, and general education classes will be offered to youth and adults at the Center.

"Our new technology center is an investment in our children's future, and the future of our neighborhoods on L.A.'s eastside. It will be a place for the community to access computers and receive computer training and many of the skills needed to get a job in today's technology dominated marketplace," said Councilmember Villaraigosa. "Boyle Heights deserves a facility like this one, and I'm proud to have played a role in securing its funding."

The Councilmember, throughout his first year in office, worked to secure $7 million in City funds for the project and the remainder from federal Community Development Block Grant and Housing and Urban Development funds.

The contract for construction was executed between the City and Royal Construction on June 30, 2004 and the Center is scheduled for completion in December of 2005.

"Having been born and raised in Boyle Heights, I am extremely proud to have played a role in securing federal funds to start the Youth Opportunity Movement in this community and to build the Digital Academy in the Youth Technology Center," said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34). "The training our young people will receive through the new center will give them the skills they need to improve academically and become strong competitors in today's job market. I'd like to commend everyone for their hard work in making this much needed technology center in Boyle Heights possible."

"This tech center will provide much-needed curriculum and education for our local youth, as well as adults, in a state-of-the-art setting. I am looking forward to continuing to coordinate efforts among local, state, and federal officials during the completion of this project and for future developments for the community," concluded the Councilmember.
 

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