A Treasure for Our Area

The Los Angeles area, emerging as a major center of contemporary art, could add a distinguished collection as well as a new museum once the Beverly Hills City Council gives final approval to leasing the landmark Greystone mansion to the Frederick R. Weisman Foundation. Weisman, a UCLA-educated businessman, has pledged $6 million toward renovating the building and installing his collection of abstract expressionist, pop and contemporary art.

The council put off the final decision two weeks ago, and will hold a public hearing Tuesday. Its indecision gives art lovers a bad case of deja vu . Just over 20 years ago, Joseph A. Hirshhorn had agreed to move his collection of modern art into Greystone, but the deal collapsed. That collection is now one of the gems along the Mall in Washington.

It could happen again. Museums in this country and abroad would love to spirit away a collection that includes work by Frank Stella, George Segal, Sam Francis, Ed Ruscha, Julian Schnabel, Robert Rauschenberg, Peter Voulkos and Andy Warhol. Leading art dealers consider Weisman the most active private collector in the country as he continues to discover artists that the rest of us will appreciate in years to come. His foundation collection now travels to exhibits around the world. Weisman wants his own museum--one that would not only display his foundation’s collection but stress his interest in scholarly pursuits as well.

Beverly Hills officials have raised legitimate questions about the ultimate responsibility for the property, which should remain with the city and now will do so. They are also concerned about renovating the former Doheny mansion, now vacant and in disreputable condition, with a proper eye toward preservation. Negotiations between the Greystone Foundation, acting for the city, and the Weisman Foundation have also been sensitive to the effect on the community. As with the Getty Museum, people would be able to visit the Weisman collection by appointment only to control potential traffic and parking problems around the estate on Loma Vista Drive.

People in Beverly Hills describe their city as one divided in which residents may never reach complete agreement on the best use of Greystone mansion. But unless the Beverly Hills City Council acts soon, and acts decisively, it could lose an outstanding opportunity both to preserve the mansion and to add to the cultural reputation of Southern California.