Culver City Turns Former Gun Store Into Affordable Housing

The city council voted to transform the Martin B. Retting gun store into a 67-unit affordable housing complex with a community art center.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Culver City Council has voted to turn the former Martin B. Retting gun store on Washington Boulevard into a 67-unit affordable housing complex with a ground-level art center. The decision comes after community organizing efforts to prevent another gun store from opening near an elementary school, leading the city to purchase the property in 2023.

Why it matters

The transformation of the former gun store into affordable housing and community space represents a victory for local activists who advocated against having a gun store so close to an elementary school, mosque, senior living facility, and public park. It also aligns with the city council's prioritization of affordable housing as a means of promoting community safety and well-being.

The details

In 2023, the Culver City Council voted to purchase the Martin B. Retting gun store property after a group of parents stepped in to prevent another gun store from moving in next to La Ballona Elementary School. The city then solicited public input on potential uses for the space, with affordable housing and an art studio/school emerging as popular options. The council has now approved a proposal from the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation to develop a 67-unit affordable housing complex with a ground-level art center.

  • In 2023, the Culver City Council voted to purchase the former Martin B. Retting gun store property.
  • In January 2026, the council voted in favor of the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation's proposal to transform the space.

The players

Culver City Council

The local government body that voted to purchase the former gun store property and approve the affordable housing and community art center proposal.

Culver 878

A community group that originally championed the idea for the city to buy the gun store property.

West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation

The organization that submitted the winning proposal to develop the 67-unit affordable housing complex with a ground-level art center.

Megan Oddsen and Melody Hansen

Members of Culver 878 who expressed their satisfaction with the council's decision to transform the former gun store.

Bubba Fish

A Culver City Councilmember who highlighted the city's prioritization of affordable housing as a means of promoting community safety and well-being.

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What they’re saying

“We're really just as happy today seeing what the council has voted to do with the property as we were on the day they voted to purchase it. It's no longer a gun store and we remain most thankful for that.”

— Megan Oddsen and Melody Hansen, Members of Culver 878 (LAist)

“I'm just really grateful that we have a city council that is moved by activism and can come together on a lot of the most important issues right now.”

— Megan Oddsen, Member of Culver 878 (LAist)

“What people feel here, which is a real sense of community and a sense of safety, and it is in no small part because of the planning decisions that we make. This council has prioritized affordable housing above a lot of other things that we could be spending our money on. And that's because we recognize these are the things that truly make us safe.”

— Bubba Fish, Culver City Councilmember (LAist)

What’s next

The West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation will now move forward with the development of the 67-unit affordable housing complex and community art center on the former gun store property.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former gun store into affordable housing and community space represents a victory for local activists and a commitment by the Culver City Council to prioritize community needs over commercial interests, demonstrating how grassroots organizing can shape urban development in ways that promote safety, inclusion, and access to essential resources.