LADWP Partners With Morton La Kretz Family on New Hollywood Customer Service and Community Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES (October 20, 2026) - The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, October 17, 2026, to mark the beginning of the construction of the LADWP La Kretz Center - a new customer service center and community space, at 1033 Cole Avenue in Hollywood.

Speakers at the event included Crossroads Management President and philanthropist Linda La Kretz Duttenhaver; Board of Water and Power Commissioners Vice President Nurit Katz; and LADWP Director of Customer Operations Rachel Armendariz Ortiz.

Land for the new facility was generously provided by the Morton La Kretz family, to support the Hollywood community. A champion of environmental causes, Mr. La Kretz's decades of philanthropic work drove tech and science innovations that were sustainable yet also accessible and affordable, improving the quality of life for every person in Los Angeles.

Mr. La Kretz's daughter, Linda La Kretz Duttenhaver, said, "Having lived virtually all of his life in Los Angeles - and he lived to 100 years old! - my Dad was very committed to this city, and especially to Hollywood. He believed in protecting our environment and improving the lives of all Angelenos. He proved that through his philanthropic work at UCLA, TreePeople, Cal State LA, AltaSea and other organizations throughout the city.

"This beautiful new center will achieve both of those goals by providing a neighborhood amenity for Hollywood, and by promoting sustainability through its LEED certification, the availability of EV chargers, and its sustainable design. Our family is eagerly awaiting its opening in just a few years."

"Throughout the years, Mr. La Kretz was able to find new ways to utilize LADWP's expertise in energy and water efficiency and sustainability to benefit the people of this city," added Nurit Katz, Vice President of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners. "A decade ago, LADWP was able to partner with the La Kretz family on the La Kretz Innovation Campus in downtown L.A., home of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, or LACI. We are honored to carry out Mr. La Kretz's wishes to create this new center for the community, and very grateful to the La Kretz family for providing this opportunity to better serve our Hollywood area customers."

"This new Customer Service Center will be able to help with so much more than simply paying your utility bill," explained Joseph Ramallo, LADWP Chief Customer Officer &Senior Assistant General Manager, Communications and Community Affairs. "There is a space where neighbors will be able to gather for community meetings, and customers can get help from our representatives, to sign up for dozens of LADWP support programs, from rebates on EVs or green home improvements, to financial assistance programs."

The new LADWP La Kretz Center was designed by John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) and is being constructed by Green Building Corporation. The new facility will be approximately 8,000 sq ft. It is slated to be open and ready to serve Hollywood neighbors in the Fall of 2028.

Once complete, it will replace the existing LADWP Hollywood Customer Service Center at 6547 Sunset Boulevard. Learn more at LADWP.com/LaKretzHollywood.

Video & Photos
Contact LADWP for video footage and photos:

Ann-Marie Holman
[email protected]
(213) 278-3825

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