Cultural Affairs Says No

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I mentioned a few days ago that a vote on the new LAPD headquarters would be going before the city's Cultural Affairs Commission. I haven't seen anyone else mention this, but the result I've heard (from a couple different people) was that the Commission voted 3-2 against the plans. Now, granted, Cultural Affairs doesn't have much of a deciding voice in the process. This most likely isn't any sort of a signal for changing plans. But still, it's an interesting little tidbit to add to the process.

The most salient argument I've heard for the park was in the form of the letter Adele Yellin presented to the Commission in her absense (as found on Mayor Sam's Sister City):

In my view sitting the building on this land opposite City Hall is a planning mistake that will be with us into the next century. Not only does it become a physical barrier to the historic core, it is a psychic barrier as well. The message of a heavily fortified police headquarters opposite city hall and next to the LA Times will feel more like a government under siege rather than an open democracy where people can voice their support and/or their objections to one issue or another.

I would like to think that in the next several decades we can make a major advance on the problems of homelessness. If the new LAPD headquarters is built where it is intended to go this decision will stay with us far longer than that, however.