The recent news that a developer may raze several historic movie studio buildings on Santa Monica Boulevard (aka Route 66) in West Hollywood, Calif., sparked protests Sunday, reported the Los Angeles Times.
About 50 protesters were at the site, said the newspaper. The Lot studio, built in the 1920s and ’30s, includes Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, and many other stars as part of its history.
Protests without a plan don’t mean much. However, it seems this group does indeed have a strategy:
Although West Hollywood has approved the redevelopment, preservation-supporter Sal Gomez said it may be possible to enlist Los Angeles’ help in blocking the project. That’s because the West Hollywood-Los Angeles boundary line crosses through several structures that face razing.
“I know an L.A. city councilman, and he thinks they can stop the demolition until things are reviewed,” said Gomez, a movie lot historian who lives in La Puente. “We believe we can get most of it saved.”
Gomez declined to identify the councilman.
Interesting.
(Hat tip: Kevin Hansel)