The high profile Pershing Square redesign supposedly "won" by Agence Ter's "radical flatness" is dead. Its prime mover, disgraced councilman Jose Huizar will soon be sentenced to prison for his confessed corruption.
As Pershing Square's staunch advocates, we've successfully advocated with Department of Cultural Affairs and Rec and Parks to ensure that Barbara McCarren's "Hey Day" public art pieces that were part of the 1992-94 park design will (mostly) be protected while minor and long overdue renovations are done to make Pershing Square more pleasant for its users.
But the sweetheart Angels Landing development contract that Huizar gifted to Victor MacFarlane, the largest (perhaps only) donor to his dissolved Pershing Square ReNew non-profit, continues lurching forward as an R. Donahue "Don" Peebles project, costing the city in missed opportunities to find a serious developer that will actually break ground, instead of just squatting on the parcel trying to shake down taxpayers.
The lower plaza, long used by Bunker Hill workers, Metro passengers and Grand Central Market patrons as an outdoor seating and picnic area, remains fenced behind chain link. The upper portion, with its famous 500 Days of Summer bench and lovely old trees, is gated and inaccessible to the public.
We believe this public land should be used for 100% affordable housing, community serving small businesses, cultural programming and green space. Take back Angels Knoll, and make something wonderful of it, for Angelenos and not for profiteers and crime bosses.
And something is happening. After six months of silence, the zombie project will soon be heard by City Council's Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee (Traci Park, Tim McOsker and Hugo Soto-MartÃnez). They need to hear from concerned citizens, before another six months or six years are squandered with this valuable public land held hostage. So click here to make your written public comment, and stay tuned for opportunities to be heard in person.
