TAKE ACTION & SPEAK OUT !!!

The City of West Hollywood is currently involved in a Master Plan whereby they will be demolishing all of the architecture designed by Edward Hale Fickett, FAIA, and including the coveted Mid-Century Modern designed, West Hollywood Park Library. As the Library was originally moved out of the city's Master Plan at the inception of the project through and Errata Sheet placed into the Resolution adopting the plan in 2003. It now comes to the attention of the general public and community the city's efforts to now bring the demolition of this Library in their current Capital Project Phase 1B plan. The City has decided to demolish the Fickett Library as early as October 1, 2011 or once the Fickett Library has been vacated by the County and moved to the new facility.

Now is the time for us all to come together and respond to the City's efforts to demolish Mr. Fickett's West Hollywood. 6:30pm Monday, August 15, 2011, the City of West Hollywood will be holding the Council's Regular Meeting where we call upon any and all voices to come and speak out against what the City of West Hollywood is doing during the General Comment portion of the meeting. Let the Council know it is wrong to demolish the Library and urge them to find a way to re-use the Library facility, while at the same time providing a legacy of cultural heritage for the community.

August 15, 2011, 6:30pm
Location:
West Hollywood Park Auditorium
647 N. San Vicente Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069

If you are unable to attend the 6:30pm meeting on Monday, August 15, 2011, you can email your thoughts to the West Hollywood Council and to the County of Los Angeles, Board of Supervisors.

Below are points of interest in relation to the reasons as to why the City of West Hollywood should not demolish the Edward H. Fickett, FAIA Library:

The demolition of the Fickett-designed Library creates conflict within the Land Agreement transfer between the County of Los Angeles and the City of West Hollywood creating liability on the city due to potential litigation.

Every effort should be taken to avoid the demolition of this potential landmark building and find a way to incorporate it into the design of the Master Plan as originally intended per the Errata Sheet (Attached) of Resolution 03-2837, the basis of the entire Master Plan.

The West Hollywood Park Fickett Library can be adapted for RE-USE to fulfill the needs of the community for a place to hold special events, marriage ceremonies, receptions, et al. Whereby, the City receives economic benefit through rental.

With proper maintenance, the award-winning structure could once again be a showcase of the work of Edward H. Fickett, FAIA, as it demonstrates significant philosophies of the architect's overall body of work. Signature elements found in his work clearly seen with his "Peek-a-boo" Window, found above within the ceiling cap and the signature Metal / Wood Slating for architectural and practical usage.

The West Hollywood Park Library can be sensitively upgraded for enhanced energy efficiency to meet the project’s sustainability goals. Drought resistant gardens can be introduced to the outdoor area to create and example of Southern California nature.

Increasing the Parks total green area by more than 3 acres would indicate there is room for discussion in keeping the West Hollywood Library from being demolished, as there would be adequate green area within the new Master Plan while including the Fickett Library.

Demolition of the West Hollywood Park Library, would call into question the City’s ability to protect our cultural heritage when clear adaptive reuse options exist.

Plans to demolish the West Hollywood Library should be avoided. The City's current attitude sets a precedent and could invite further changes and cumulative impacts to this future historic landscape monument.