Former Little Sisters of the Poor campus in San Pedro eyed for $100M recovery facility

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Fred Brown Recovery Services, a nonprofit that operates recovery homes in San Pedro, is proposing to purchase and convert the former Little Sisters of the Poor campus into a $100 million recovery facility called the Serenity Recovery Campus. However, the plan has faced opposition from local officials and residents who are concerned about the lack of public outreach, potential issues with the facility's proximity to schools and daycares, and the fate of the existing elderly residents on the property.

Why it matters

The proposed conversion of the former Little Sisters of the Poor campus highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing the need for addiction recovery services with the concerns of local communities. The plan raises questions about land use, zoning, and the impact on vulnerable populations currently residing on the property.

The details

Fred Brown Recovery Services is seeking $100 million from the state to purchase and repurpose the nearly 6-acre campus at 2100 S. Western Ave. in San Pedro, which previously housed the Little Sisters of the Poor. The nonprofit plans to transform the property into the Serenity Recovery Campus, a facility that would provide "whole-person, accessible, culturally sensitive care and housing that supports recovery and reintegration for veterans, the justice-involved, the unhoused and those with co-occurring conditions." However, local officials, including City Councilmember Tim McOsker, have raised concerns about the lack of public outreach, potential issues with the facility's proximity to schools and daycares, and the fate of the existing elderly residents on the property.

• In February 2020, the Little Sisters of the Poor announced they would be withdrawing from the San Pedro facility once a buyer was found.
• In 2021, Grace S. Mercado, who operates three skilled nursing facilities in the state, was selected as the new owner of the property.
• Late last year, a recovery wing temporarily operated on the property, leading to neighborhood problems and increased calls for services.
• In March 2026, Fred Brown Recovery Services is seeking $100 million from the state to purchase and repurpose the former Little Sisters of the Poor campus.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The South Shores Community Association is still weighing the issue, and the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council has put the item on the agenda for preliminary discussions, though no one from Fred Brown Recovery Services has spoken or appeared to answer questions. The Los Angeles City Council will likely need to review and approve any proposed change of use for the property.