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Is It Lights Out for MONA Downtown?

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 03:51PM

Walking Past Art Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

This neon ART sign in the Museum of Neon Art's 4th street window has become an Old Bank District landmark.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — After a long history in Downtown Los Angeles, The Museum of Neon Art may be taking refuge in the suburbs of Glendale.

Yesterday, the Glendale City Council voted unanimously to begin lease negotiations on a city-owned building at 216 S. Brand, reports the Glendale News Press.

Referred to as a "cultural jolt," the proposal accommodates MONA's need for space. Many landmark pieces in the collection, up to 40, are too large for its current space in the Old Bank District at 136 W. 4th.

If the deal goes through, MONA would hang its neon Brown Derby hat in the suburbs, away from its Downtown roots.

In June 1981, MONA first opened in on Traction Ave. The space, now owned by MONA co-founder Lili Lakich, serves as her studio and workspace. The museum then relocated to Universal City Walk before returning to a space at Olympic and Hope.

When that lease expired in 2006, the institution was temporarily homeless. Developer Tom Gilmore offered the Old Bank space as a temporary home, but both the size of MONA's collection and future development plans for the space made it clear from the beginning that the spot would not be the museum's permanent home.

“As you can see, MONA needs a permanent location to display these historic gems,” MONA Director Kim Koga told the Glendale News Press about the larger pieces still in storage.

Koga did not return a call for comment by the time this story was published.

The paper reports that the proposed 15-year lease includes a pledge from the City of Glendale for up to $1 million in redevelopment funds to restore the vacant building, where past uses have included Rite-Aid and the Salvation Army.

Under the agreement, MONA would pay $0 per month for the first two years, and top out at $7,500 per month.

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Comments

1
Bert Green writes:

I'll be sorry to see them go, as they have been a big part of the gallery scene downtown for many years. But to actually get the right kind of space for the neon is more important than the location, so it can be properly displayed. Unfortunately for downtown, on Broadway, where there actually is this kind of space, it was just not possible to find a sympathetic landlord and/or the right arrangement. Now I will have a good reason to go to Glendale!

# on Sep.23.2009 AT 04:33 PM
2
Whitman Lam writes:

Yeah, the same thing with the Derby Dolls. No large spaces available in Downtown. There are a few vacant warehouses that might be big enough ... but of course they don't come with the incentives that the city of Glendale is offering.

2 years rent for free ?? Very hard to resist.

# on Sep.23.2009 AT 10:55 PM
3
dj Ernie Pearl writes:

WTF !!! Who's gonna go to Glendale???

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 03:45 AM
4
Julie Jamerson writes:

I think this is a shame. This museum is as much of downtown as is Coles, or the theaters on Broadway. Something must be done to keep it here!

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 09:57 AM
5
? writes:

Ed, where are the "suburbs of [the City of] Glendale"?

You mean like the Chevy Chase Golf Course?

You're not speaking provincially, are you?

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 10:29 AM
6
David Kennedy writes:

The whole situation is quite regretable and refects badly on L.A.'s civic leadership. A local institution is going to flee to Glendale because it can't find any local support? Please.

I think Bert's comments are well-taken. It is regretable MONA can't find the right space on Broadway. Seems like something the Bringing Back Broadway organization would be all over. Sounds like an opportunity for Ms. McLean. I look forward to her reply.

I'd also wonder why L.A. Live couldn't find some space for MONA? They've got the real estate. Seems to me MONA could give them a some cultural legitimacy.

I also know Union Station has some very large spaces which have been sitting empty for decades. I'm sure MONA's various pieces could find a home in this wonderful space.

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 11:32 AM
7
sebastian writes:

WTF is absoleteley correct. I live in Glendale, and I don't want it here not because it will bring more traffic, like nimby's think, but because it belongs in the city of los angeles, L.A. live to be exact. Why are we allowing historic landmarks to be destroyed and moving out L.A based museums to Glendale. This is a terrible idea, Besides what better place than L.A. live, which is suppose to be a light and sign district. The small pieces can go outside and they can put the big peaces outside in the open where everyone can admire. Which will bring more people to the area. Geez do these people not have brains. Who cares about the stupid glendale deal, keep it in L.A.. It's like if one day Pinks hot dog would move to Glendale. WTF I say..

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 01:06 PM
8
peenee writes:

glendale is just a dead bog for all culture expect faux "downtown" shopping. no one woulddrive to glendale just to see the museum and don't count on locals in the museum either because they don't care.

glendale cant even keep "a noise within" (live theater) to EAST pasadena.... not just pasadena but EAST pasadena (last goldline stop)!!!!!!!!

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 01:31 PM
9
Kazumi writes:

Burt Green is right, You will just have go on a real adventure out of downtown to see MONA's fantastic collection of neon signage (that is really from all over America, and not just LA) like the majority of MONA's loyal members have had to drive for 28 years. I came all the way from Japan to see MONA so don't fear a 6 mile treck out of your comfort zone! You are right that it is too bad LA didn't have the insight to support this gem but you go where you are wanted. It is all good!!

# on Sep.24.2009 AT 03:09 PM
10
sebastian writes:

With the Americana, the MONA, and Michael Jackson's tomb, Glendale is becoming a tourist atraction very quickly.

# on Sep.25.2009 AT 12:59 PM

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