Don’t you love it how we destroy history, especially bits unique to LA’s history and put crappy high density housing in its place? Why can’t we keep the structure and just reinvent its use. Oh, I forgot the redevelopment agencies all jumped on the high density for maximum tax base, especially sales tax generation and lost focus on maintaining a communities integrity and how the residents want things to look.

Subject: Urgent – Please stop the demo of 2800 N. Glendale Blvd!

Dear Councilmember LaBonge –

I write to you about the recent application to designate the art deco, Richfield service station (located at 2800 N. Glendale Blvd, 90039) with historic monument status. Because of our appreciation and love for our neighborhood and community, we not only seek to have a historical monument recognizing our past, but also want to ensure any development is in line with what the community needs and wants.

Please help us take up the case to continue to pursue and appeal the status: present a 245 motion for the Council to resubmit the Richfield Station to the Cultural Heritage Commission.

Yes I am copying content from a letter I received – it’s a busy day for me and I really want to be sure I get this emailed to you.

Here are the key points:

1. Neighborhood Character: We are concerned about development of this site, how it will affect the neighbors and the businesses, and that it has integrity in the neighborhood.
2. This is not a monument to Atlantic Richfield, it’s a monument to Los Angeles’ car culture and its more stylish past. We used to have art deco gas stations on every corner, including 3 at the intersection of Riverside and Fletcher in 1937, even though we had a popular trolley line in the same neighborhood.
3. This site helps preserve the character of the community in its small scale. The art deco details are also evident in the surrounding neighborhood which grew at the same time.
4. I want to emphasize the fact that this part of Silver Lake is experiencing its recent Renaissance!! With all good restaurants and retail businesses Rowena and its intersection with Glendale Blvd. is becoming more and more a focal point for community life in this corner of Silver Lake.
5. With the Michelangelo Restaurant’s very good looking replacement of Flor Morena the neighborhood is looking towards no less than that across the street and to wrap around a lovely neighborly oriented area;
6. Yes, we do give you credit for your record as a "preservationist" and thank you for that. AS HIS CONSTITUENCY I expect the same for this precious corner of Silver Lake and I greatly appreciate your efforts!

Sorry for that but it covers all the ground.

Thank you for your time in reading this – I really do appreciate your efforts.