Los Angeles Department of Water and Power engineers will work alongside cleantech experts and startups to test green technology ideas and practices at the La Kretz Innovation Campus that officially opened on October 7 in downtown Los Angeles
Built on the former site of a furniture and fabric warehouse, the 60,000- square-foot campus includes a prototyping center with 3D printers and lasers, and labs for robotics, chemistry and electronics. It also houses training and event space — including an amphitheater — as well as an LADWP customer service center.
The cleantech incubator is owned by the LADWP and operated by LACI, a nonprofit set up by city officials to provide guidance and financial support for startups. Mayor Eric Garcetti and other city officials gathered at the Arts District campus to mark the campus’ grand opening.
“The La Kretz Innovation Campus embodies the ambition and forward thinking that make Los Angeles a world center for green industry,” Garcetti said.
“This campus will foster innovation, create jobs and set an example for cities everywhere,” he said. “Clean technology is not only smart and responsible but also a terrific growth opportunity. For all those reasons, we should invest our time and resources into making it a huge success.”
LADWP General Manager David Wright said he hopes the campus will “inspire customers, both residential and commercial, to adopt some of the systems for themselves.”
LACI President Fred Walti said the “purpose of the La Kretz Innovation Campus is to provide solutions, both in terms of economic growth for the city of Los Angeles and through sustainability innovations and partnerships.”
The campus was designed by John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects and is LEED Platinum certified. It includes a 175 kilowatt photovoltaic solar canopy, fast charger EV stations and bioswales.
