Closed since 2001, the Azusa Foothill Drive-In will soon be stripped beyond recognition (save its sign), the L.A. Times reports:
The gaudy neon-trimmed marquee of the Azusa Foothill Drive-In will continue to glow. But preservationists and Azusa Pacific University don't agree on anything else about the last remaining drive-in movie theater on historic Route 66 west of Oklahoma.
The fate of the closed drive-in's giant screen, remains of its concession stand and other artifacts is more uncertain than ever since the Azusa City Council last month approved the evangelical Christian university's ambitious $550-million expansion plan.
The university has agreed to preserve the drive-in's V-shaped marquee, now used for campus announcements in English and Spanish, but it has shown little willingness to preserve the other structures on the 17-acre property at 675 E. Foothill Blvd.
According to the university's general counsel, Mark Dickerson, the school will spend up to $50,000 to restore the battered marquee. However, Dickerson said the university desperately needs the rest of the property for classrooms, dorms and other facilities to serve students.
But for Ken Bernstein, director of preservation issues for the Los Angeles Conservancy, the drive-in is an important landmark, with or without official status. The playground, sound system and other features are already gone, and Bernstein is passionate about saving what remains.
"We're trying to reach a compromise that retains a semblance of the theater experience while allowing campus development to proceed," Bernstein said.
Dating to 1961, the midcentury modern drive-in was the only single-screen outdoor theater in Los Angeles County when it closed in 2001. "There were once about 225 drive-ins around the state, and most of these have been demolished," he said.
:: Two years ago we wrote about the Florentine Gardens' struggle to remain open. L.A.'s city council has been looking to take over the Hollywood night club site to build a new fire station.
These days a hip-hop club for the over-18 set, the Florentine Gardens was a popular nightclub in the 1940s and 1950s; regulars included Marilyn Monroe.
Now, notes the L.A. Times, the city has pretty much made up its mind, despite protests by the site's owner. Even the L.A. Conservancy, which has been promised that the nightclub building will be preserved in a new setup, isn't standing in the way.
The historic 1938 Hollywood Boulevard club sits on one of four adjacent parcels the city has decided would make the best new home for Fire Station 82, which is housed in an outdated 54-year-old building on nearby Bronson Avenue.
But the council vote may not be the end.
After considering about 15 nearby sites — and even buying one for $2.3 million — the city has chosen property largely owned by an unwilling seller.
Kenneth MacKenzie, the owner, runs Florentine Gardens as a dance club patronized mostly by young Latinos, and he doesn't want to part with it. His opposition could force the city to turn to eminent domain proceedings to acquire the land.
Like many L.A. land-use disputes, this one involves the recurring themes of historic preservation, bureaucracy, public safety and money.
At the center of the brouhaha is the nightclub, which enjoyed its heyday in the 1940s and '50s as an upscale place where celebrities could be seen quaffing and canoodling.
:: The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy (www.savewright.org or www.hollyhockhouse.net) meets at the Biltmore hotel in downtown L.A. next week, Oct. 19-23.
It's a part of ArchiFest, L.A.'s first-ever city wide architectural festival. From a press release:
During October, LA's first ever, citywide architectural festival, ArchiFest, will celebrate LA's modern architectural history with more than 30 events including exhibits, book signings, theater performances and architectural tours. Many of the festival events will take place in conjunction with the annual Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) Building Conservancy Conference, which meets in Los Angeles October 19-23.
Following are screenings and book signings at Barnsdall Park during ArchiFest.
WHAT: Documentaries on Frank Lloyd Wright: "Pacific Rim Homes," "A Very Proud House," and "Restoring the Romanza."
WHERE: Barnsdall Gallery Theater, Barnsdall Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd.
WHEN: Wednesday October 19
10 a.m. "Magnificent Obsession" (Admission $15)
12 p.m. & 2 p.m. "A Very Proud House" (FREE ADMISSION)
12:45 & 2:45 p.m. "Restoring the Romanza"
WHAT: Book signings with notable LA architectural authors.
Among those scheduled to appear: Gil Garcetti, "Frozen Music," Tom Heinz, "The Blacker House," Kathryn Smith, "Frank Lloyd Wright: Hollyhock House and Olive Hill" and Tim Street-Porter, "Los Angeles."
WHEN: Thurs. Oct. 20 and Fri. Oct 21: 3 5:30 PM both days
WHERE: Municipal Art Gallery Foyer, Barnsdall Park
ArchiFest is co-hosted and co-sponsored by more than 24 Los Angeles area architectural, historic preservation and neighborhood organizations, museums, book stores, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy,
:: The L.A. Conservancy's Modern Committee has partnered with the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles to throw a vintage fashion show and high tea at the El Rey theatre.
Event, which focuses on the works of L.A. designers Peggy Hunt and Jeanette Alexander, will be held Nov. 6 at 1 p.n.
From the Modcom:
The afternoon includes a Fashion Show featuring vintage evening, cocktail & daywear from the 1930’s - 60’s from the lines Peggy Hunt and Jeannette Alexander and a three course tea.
Event is meant to harken back to the days when ladies lunched and purchased clothing modeled for them in luxurious salons at Bullocks Wilshire, I. Magnin and Saks Fifth Avenue. The event is part of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s “Curating Wilshire Boulevard” project and will benefit projects of the Art Deco Society Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Conservancy.
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