July 15, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Missouri Place: Let’s Celebrate a Real Victory

Brentwood resident Tom Safran is known for being a world-class builder of affordable housing. 

He is really in the business of changing lives. 

Tuesday, July 26, marked the grand opening of Missouri Place, a new affordable housing complex built at the southeast corner of Missouri and Bundy. This is the site of a former animal shelter.  

The rooms at Missouri Place are spacious and airy.

Missouri Place has set aside up to 60 percent of the facility’s 74 units for formerly homeless individuals.

I attended the grand opening of Missouri Place the other day and it was a lovely affair, with lots of people, food, speeches and tours of the new facility.  Missouri Place is absolutely first class and anyone would be lucky to live there.

Mike Bonin was willing to push Missouri Place through, according to Tom Safran. Bill Rosendahl, said Safran, was nervous about potential neighborhood opposition.

But the part of the event that sticks out most in my mind was my chance meeting with Veronica Martinez, who now lives at Missouri Place.  She was one of the tour guides on opening day.  

Veronica told me she had been living on the edge for quite some time, staying at family members’ places.  She had never actually lived on the streets, but I could tell from listening to her that things could have easily gone that way.

Feeling blessed: Veronica Martinez.

Veronica just knew, she told me, that in order to really take control of her life, she needed her own place.  She said she felt like she was down to two weeks left before her life would completely unravel. She said she prayed to God for a miracle and, two weeks later, she learned she had been accepted to move into Missouri Place. 

It was all very touching.  Good luck to you, Veronica — and to all your new neighbors at Missouri Place.  May you all find health, happiness and prosperity in the years ahead. Thank you, Tom Safran, for doing God’s work here on earth.

Brentwood stalwarts Robert Arbour, Marilyn Krell and Elise Arbour attended the grand opening.

Tom didn’t build Missouri Place alone, of course.  In his remarks, he recognized all the elected officials, financiers, builders, architects, social workers, tradesmen, the local neighborhood council and others who helped make Missouri Place possible.  

Building permanent supportive housing for the homeless requires jumping through a lot of hoops. Everyone pulled together on this project. There wasn’t the typical opposition from nearby residents.  

Jordan Pynes, Brentwood resident and president of Brentwood-based TSA Architects (Tom Safran & Associates).

Mayor Eric Garcetti attended the grand opening and said, prior to the passage of HHH, the measure that raised taxes for the purpose of building housing for the homeless, going to a grand opening like the one at Missouri Place occurred maybe once every two or three months.  

Now he’s attending similar grand openings all over Los Angeles maybe once a week, he said. Progress really is being made, he asserted. 

Robin M. Keefe with Dan Withee, the architect whose firm, Withee Malcolm, designed Missouri Place. Missouri Place took top prize for the best affordable housing complex over 60 units. The award was given by the Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference.

City Council Member Mike Bonin said there are many things a formerly homeless person needs to get back up on his or her feet, but it all starts with housing. Services and mental health counseling and drug rehab programs really can’t work, he has argued for years, unless a person has housing stability first.  

While many today wonder why it’s so hard to provide enough shelter quickly for the homeless – and at an affordable cost – let’s set those discussions aside for today. Today, let’s take a moment to celebrate a real achievement: the opening of Missouri Place. 

Related Posts

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Miami Developer Seeks to Convert Century City Apartment Tower into Condos: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

If approved, the property at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., known as Ten Thousand and built in 2017, would mark the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Holmby Hills Parcel Once Owned by Pioneering Film Director Lists for $25.5M

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The lot is situated across from the Playboy Mansion and just moments from The Spelling Manor A 1.66-acre parcel of...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Billy Wilder Theater to Screen Housing Struggle Short Films with Q&A

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The program includes works by community organizers and filmmakers addressing housing struggles from LA to D.C. A free film screening...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

Chinese Bakery Hi Bake to Open First U.S. Store in Beverly Hills: REPORT

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hi Bake will offer a fusion of French and Asian pastries, including croissants filled with molten chocolate or wagyu beef...