Watts Theater, Training Complex Get Boost

LOS ANGELES-Two government agencies have agreed to provide a total of $890,000 to help build a long-delayed movie theater and film-training complex in Watts, one of this city’s most economically depressed neighborhoods.

Plans for the $15-million facility have been floating around for years, but have been delayed by funding and site-location problems. Current plans for the project, which would be coordinated by the nonprofit Watts Cinema and Education Center, would place the complex on a city-owned parcel near the Metro Blue Line station.

The new funding comes through a $650,000-grant from the US Economic Development Administration and a $240,000-award from the LA Community Redevelopment Agency. It pushes the total amount raised for the project to $4 million, enough to complete the architectural design for the 35,000-sf, two-story complex.