A City in Denial: Implications of Demolishing the Fickett Library

The Edward H. Fickett, FAIA designed West Hollywood Library was once again brought to the table at Monday's City Council meeting—this time, in closed and general session.

Obviously, the city feels the threat of litigation for demolishing the historical property. A July 18 document Mayor Duran delivered to City Attorney Mike Jenkins generated some heat.

Currently, as we all know, the city has decided to demolish the building by sticking the demolition into their Capital Project and hence, changing the scope of the project substantially, causing major legal conflict with the CEQA guidelines in relation to CEQA violations inrespect to Title 14, Article 11, Sections 15162 and 15165.

I spoke during the closed session and pointed out the city's errors. It is unbelievable how they can sit there and not want to take what I am saying seriously. Reviewing a multitude of documents, I pointed to how far off track the city was with their Master Plan. 

As we have support through LA Conservancy and MODCOM, the city should get prepared for a wave of litigation—not only with the community at large, but with the county as well, as the changes in scope of the project have dramatically changed from the inception.

During the regular session, open to everyone, we had about 60 people turn up in support of saving the Fickett Library, requesting the city find adaptive re-use solutions. LA Conservancy's MODCOM group decided to have their monthly meeting at the council meeting. 

Mina Chow, a USC architecture professor, stood before the council and recognized the amount of support we had in attendance by asking us all to stand. I have to say, it was impressive. She also spoke about adaptive re-use concepts of the site and how important the library is to the community as it exemplifies many of the principles of mid-century modernist architecture.  

She highlighted the indoor/outdoor spatial connections, the exploration of planar geometry in the roof ceiling, "which we see as an early study into the possibilities of an origami piece of architectural seen through its floating ceiling," she said. "This simple unadorned structure and its material details allow a visitor to define and predominate the building."

As time ticked on and the clock was hitting close to 11 p.m., many people left, feeling defeated by the general political drama that unfolds within the landscape of West Hollywood politics.

When time finally came for general comment at the end, we certainly had a powerhouse lined up. Regina O'Brien, chair of MODCOM, spoke first during this portion of comment. "Edward H. Fickett played a very pivotal role in shaping the look of what is now West Hollywood," she said. "He is this city’s major architect."

Joycie Fickett followed with her impassioned response to the city telling her in 2004 that the library would not go anywhere and that it was not a threat for demolition. She also brought up the fact that as of late, every time she approached any city official, their response was always, "Where were you in 2004 during the Public Comment period?" Fickett's response, "I never thought the library was going to be a threat."

Citizens of the community, along with more MODCOM members, followed me. We were all met with blank faces and stone-cold hearts not understanding the implication of why demolishing this library will have, not only on the local community of West Hollywood, but to the entire architectural world, as the impact of tearing down this important historical landmark will leave a void in mid-century modern history.

So many wonderful citizens spoke out last night with passion and a true sense of the impact Mr. Fickett has made not only to their community in West Hollywood, but to the world at large.

Whenever I speak to the AIA (American Institute of Architecture) in D.C., they are saddened to hear the city will not recognize the merits of this man's work. They have been supportive and on our side from the beginning of this travesty of politics and bad taste shown by the City of West Hollywood. Their lack of respect or recognition of this gifted architect is felt worldwide.