Council OKs Library Plan Despite Rift Over Design

A $151.5-million plan to refurbish and expand Los Angeles’ fire-damaged historic Central Library won City Council approval Tuesday, but a conflict over aesthetics could hold up the project.

In approving the budget, the council endorsed the original design of architect Norman Pfeiffer for the new east wing, featuring a peaked atrium bisecting the roof. The council’s action raises the possibility of a confrontation with the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission, which had earlier vetoed the peaked atrium in favor of a flat one.

Although the City Council controls spending, the city Charter grants the Cultural Affairs Commission final approval on the design of city-financed buildings. If the commission or the council both refuse to budge, “it’s possible this could cause an indefinite delay,” said Deputy City Atty. Mark Brown.

An impasse would be costly. Officials estimate that, because of rising construction costs, each month of waiting could cost $500,000.

‘We Will Be Blamed’

“The last thing I want to do is delay this . . . but we will be blamed if it is not successful,” said Councilwoman Joy Picus, who urged the council to endorse Pfeiffer’s earlier design.

The members of the Cultural Affairs Commission, Picus said, “are people of taste and discretion, but they aren’t accountable . . . and I feel I am.”

The council supported Pfeiffer’s original design on a 9-3 vote, with three members absent. That vote amended the full funding package, which was adopted 12-0.

Pfeiffer said he was pleased with the council’s vote, and Library Commission Chairman Ron Lushing also voiced pleasure. The Library Commission had itself favored the peaked atrium as “a much more dramatic statement,” Lushing said.

It was not immediately clear, however, how the Cultural Affairs Commission would react. Commissioner Alan Sieroty, told of the council’s action, said he was “surprised that the council went ahead and did vote without understanding the reasons.”

Got Professional Advice

The commission arrived at its verdict, Sieroty said, only after extensive discussions with the Urban Design Advisory Coalition, a group of prominent Los Angeles architects headed by Jon Jerde, who had been chief architect for the 1984 Olympics. “Our commission is operating on what we consider outstanding professional advice,” Sieroty said.

Sieroty said he hopes that council members consider concerns raised by professionals--chiefly, the fear that Pfeiffer’s design would “compete with,” rather than enhance, the landmark 1926 building designed by Charles Goodhue.

Sieroty said he believes that the council and the commission can avoid a stalemate. “We will sit down and discuss this further,” he said. “I can’t tell you what the result will be. It needs to be resolved and be resolved quickly.”

More important than the design, Lushing said, is the need to get construction started on the library so that operations can return to normal. Officials hope to open the bigger, better Central Library in 1992.

“I can’t speculate on what the commission will do,” Lushing said. “I understand they’re fairly adamant.”

The council’s decision to risk a confrontation with the Cultural Affairs Commission came after several council member’s voiced opinions favoring Pfeiffer’s original plan. Chris Stewart of the Central City Assn. urged the council to “go with its gut feelings.”

The decision also came after Councilman Hal Bernson pointed out that, in addition to controlling purse strings, the council has the power to remove members of the Cultural Affairs Commission and appoint successors.

Fund-Raising Problem

Another major question that remains unresolved in the library budget is raising funds to cover a $32.3-million deficit in the plan--the city’s funding commitment. The Community Redevelopment Agency is committed to paying for the remainder of the project.

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky has proposed that the deficit be financed as part of a proposed $70-million bond issue for the June, 1988, ballot. (Other city projects, including construction on a police substation, would be included). If the bond measure fails, the council would dip into the city general fund to pay off the deficit.

Another question mark, both aesthetic and financial, is a $900,000 fountain envisioned as part of the restored west lawn of the library, which is now an asphalt parking lot. Councilman Joel Wachs urged the council to finance the fountain directly. Ultimately, the council endorsed the plan for the budget, but urged that private donors be solicited to pay for the project.

The fountain, designed by Lawrence Halperin, would feature water cascading down a series of terraces. The fountain would have “an aural presence” and be “an active, playful use of water” that could be a popular lunch spot.