TOWN HALL LOS ANGELES ASKS WHY ARCHITECTURAL ICONS SHOULD BE PRESERVED

Los Angeles, CA ? Wednesday, March 7, 2007 ? Town Hall Los Angeles welcomes a panel of leaders in the fields of architecture and preservation at 6:00 PM on March 14 at REDCAT. The panel will discuss why Los Angeles architectural icons should be restored and brought into the 21^st century.

In 2003, when the Los Angeles Conservancy presented its inaugural "Los Angeles County Preservation Report Card," it found that of the 89 cities and jurisdictions in Los Angeles County, 44 earned an F in their treatment of historic landmarks.

Panelists Linda Dishman, Executive Director, Los Angeles Conservancy, Stephen Johnson, AIA, Principal, Pfiffer Partners Architects Inc., and Brenda A. Levin, President and Principal, Levin & Associates Architects - Los Angeles, will discuss the restoration of buildings as an important part of Los Angeles' future landscape.

In response to this process Dishman says, "Adaptive reuse is particularly exciting. It brings alive the past while serving the present." Dishman has served as executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy since 1992. During that time she has worked to save historical buildings including Frank Lloyd Wright's Ennis House, St. Vibiana's Cathedral and the Wilshire May Co. building ? now, LACMA West. Currently, she leads the Conservancy's Broadway Initiative.

With regard to LA restoration projects, Levin states, "Each of these projects is an extraordinary opportunity to affect the life of the city? Being able to impact the economically disenfranchised, those seeking parity in the world, is as important as the civic projects." Levin's work includes the Bradbury Building, Grand Central Square, the Downtown Women's Center Residence and Day Center and the Echo Park Senior Apartments.

Johnson has over 30 years of professional practice and experience in preservation including the restoration of Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Central Library, and Stanford Memorial Church.

This is the second event in March that Town Hall is hosting as part of the newly announced public/private initiative "Creative LA"^SM - celebrating LA's creative industries. For 70 years, Town Hall has promoted civic participation, pride, and awareness. To stay informed, join Town Hall.

All members of the media are invited to cover this event. Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.

When: Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 6:00 PM Registration, 6:30-7:30 PM Panel Discussion, Q&A

Where: Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT), 631 West 2^nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012