Metro - File #: 2026-0407

• File #: 2026-0407
• Type: Agreement
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 5/20/2026
• In control: Planning and Programming Committee
• On agenda: 9/16/2026
• Title: AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or their designee to execute an amendment to the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Chavez Fickett, L.P. (Developer), an affiliate of Abode Communities, to extend the term for one year, from October 19, 2026 to October 19, 2027, with an option to extend for one additional year for the joint development of a mixed-use, affordable housing project on 1.56 acres of Metro-owned property located at the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Fickett Street in Boyle Heights (Project).
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Boyle Heights, Budget, Budgeting, Capital Project, Central Los Angeles subregion, City of Los Angeles, Construction, Contractors, Exclusive Negotiation Agreement, Guidelines, Housing, Joint development, Joint Development Agreement, Joint Development Policy, Metro Vision 2028 Plan, Outreach, Plan, Project, Request For Proposal, Safety, San Fernando Valley subregion, Soto Station, South Bay Cities subregion, Strategic planning, Transit Oriented Community, Westside Cities subregion, Westside/Central Service Sector, Zoning

Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

Subject
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT TO THE CHAVEZ/FICKETT PROJECT JOINT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or their designee to execute an amendment to the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Chavez Fickett, L.P. (Developer), an affiliate of Abode Communities, to extend the term for one year, from October 19, 2026 to October 19, 2027, with an option to extend for one additional year for the joint development of a mixed-use, affordable housing project on 1.56 acres of Metro-owned property located at the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and Fickett Street in Boyle Heights (Project).

Issue
ISSUE

Since 2024, staff and the Developer have collaborated under a Board-authorized JDA to advance the Project design through construction drawings for approval by Metro and the City of Los Angeles, assemble a financing package, and execute the Ground Lease. The JDA is set to expire on October 19, 2026. An extension of the JDA term through October 19, 2027, with an option to extend one additional year to October 2028, is required to safeguard the Project’s complex funding sources and complete the Project’s conditions precedent to close of the Ground Lease escrow. Staff recommends authorizing the extension of the JDA term to advance the Metro Board of Director’s goal of producing 10,000 homes on Metro land (10K Commitment) by delivering 109 crucial, transit-adjacent affordable homes for income-eligible Angelenos.

Background
BACKGROUND

In January 2018, following a competitive solicitation, the Board authorized the execution of an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with Abode Communities for the Project . During the ENA period, staff and the Developer advanced the Project’s design through schematic design approval, conducted Project-specific community outreach with local residents and business owners, ...