Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders were on hand to celebrate the latest upgrade to the city's urban landscape - a substantial $47.5 million investment in the Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling facility, a renowned Downtown LA structure. According to details obtained by the Mayor's office, the overhaul is poised to give a significant boost to local employment and the economy, signaling that LA is betting big on its urban core's comeback story, ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Los Angeles is an economic engine, connecting local businesses to the rest of the country and the world," Mayor Bass was quoted as saying. The refresh aims not only to modernize "The Ship," as the iconic facility is known, but also to sustainably tie the past to the present. Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling is doubling down on its commitment to the area, choosing to significantly reinvest in the heartbeat of the city.
David Carey, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Market Unit President for Los Angeles & Nevada, reflected a similar sentiment, expressing pride in the city and confidence in the company's investment. "As a long-standing beverage manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, we are proud of this great city. Today's investment demonstrates our commitment to Downtown Los Angeles and our confidence in our continued mutual success," Carey told the Mayor's office.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado underscored the project’s importance, saying, "Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling’s investment is exactly the kind of partnership Downtown Los Angeles needs, one that honors our industrial legacy, sustains good union jobs, and drives new economic opportunity." Indeed, the initiative is intended to fully harness the potential of Downtown LA and features a continuing trend in urban investment, following the lead of businesses like Banc of California, which recently expanded its Downtown presence.
Highlighting the broader ambition for Downtown LA's future, Mayor Bass last month kicked off the expansion of the LA Convention Center - a project she signed into motion with the promise of generating 15,000 jobs and spurring additional visitor spending.
