New Arts-Focused Affordable Housing Project Breaks Ground in Pomona

Downtown Pomona is set to welcome a new development aimed at supporting the local arts community. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Prisma Loft Apartments took place on Thursday, marking the beginning of a project that will provide 75 affordable housing units, including 15 live-work spaces tailored specifically for artists. The complex will also feature an 800-square-foot art gallery, further integrating art into the urban landscape.

“We wanted to have a tie to the artist community here,” said Alexa Washburn, chief development officer for the developer, National CORE. “It will have an art gallery and a pocket park. It is serving as a gateway to the downtown.” The project aims to revitalize an area known for its artistic heritage, with a history of artist lofts and galleries spanning over three decades.

The site of the Prisma Loft Apartments occupies two square blocks, bordered by Fourth Street and Mission Boulevard to the north and south, and Palomares and Eleanor Streets to the west and east. The project is situated amid another significant development—the Persimmon project, which will soon construct 38 market-rate townhomes immediately adjacent to Prisma.

This dual-project approach is a welcome change in a downtown area where substantial development has been limited. A history of halted plans for housing and commercial projects has left many local residents eager for revitalization. Ed Tessier, a partner at Arteco Partners, has long been invested in the artistic evolution of Pomona. He noted that plans for housing on the Prisma site date back to 2005, but were interrupted by the Great Recession.

The city’s Vehicle Parking District acquired the block, allowing Tessier’s team to retain a development option. He highlighted the significance of the arts district, tracing its roots back to the 1990s when live-work spaces were integrated into city codes. The first gallery, the dA Center for the Arts, opened its doors in 1977, attracting artists to rent affordable spaces in what was then a struggling downtown.

With the Prisma project, Tessier claimed, “This is the first arts-based housing project in the Inland Empire.” The inclusion of an art gallery, a mural, and designated units for artists exemplifies the commitment to fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.

The development will also cater to individuals with special needs, offering 11 units for developmentally disabled residents. The total cost of the project is estimated at $58 million, funded through a combination of local, state, and federal sources. Apartments will be available for rent to residents earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income, providing much-needed affordable housing options in the region.

Completion of the Prisma Loft Apartments is anticipated for mid-2027. By that time, city officials expect the adjoining Persimmon project to be operational, a development that Victor Preciado, a council member representing the area, described as “transformative for downtown.”

As Pomona embraces this new chapter, the community eagerly awaits the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hopeful that these projects will enhance the city’s artistic and residential landscape.