L.A. Heritage Commission

The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission is charged with the designation, protection and review of changes to buildings and resources which represent the city’s architectural and cultural history. The Times reported (Aug. 3) that Mayor Tom Bradley has appointed architect Takisha Shida, AIA, and fashion designer Ruben Panis to fill the commission’s two existing vacancies.

The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects enthusiastically supports the mayor’s nomination of an architect of Shida’s respected reputation.

In 1962, the AIA helped to create the Cultural Heritage Commission. Today, 25 years later, a new ordinance strengthening the role of the commission is under serious consideration. The Historic Preservation Committee of the LA/AIA has reviewed and heartily endorsed the proposed ordinance changes.

Included in these recommendations is an increase in the number of commissioners from five to seven. In addition, the ordinance will require that a majority of the members be “highly qualified professionals from the field of historic preservation, architecture, architectural history, law, economics, planning and engineering.” When the new ordinance is approved, we recommend that two of the positions be filled by an architectural historian and a preservation architect.

The present members of the commission, Dr. Amarjit Marwah, Velma Taylor, Olivia Rodriguez and Gerald Yoshitomi, have worked diligently and energetically to preserve this city’s landmarks. The addition of architects who are qualified in historic preservation will further increase the effectiveness of this important commission.

CYRIL CHERN

President

Los Angeles Chapter

American Institute of Architects