Fox’s Condo Plans and Homeowners

Fox Studio has not only played an important role in our cultural heritage, it also contributes $3.7 billion to our local economy each year.

The opposition is a small, vocal minority trying to give the impression that they speak for the majority. The opponents either don’t understand or choose to ignore the critical socioeconomic realities facing Los Angeles today.

The options available to Fox are 1) to obtain an amendment to the Century City South Specific Plan allowing for studio use only, and to renovate and build on the existing lot, or 2) if unable to obtain such approvals, to sell to a developer and leave the area. Clearly, Fox is striving to obtain the first option.

As a resident of Westwood who grew up in Cheviot Hills, I treasure the few cultural landmarks that still remain. One of those is Fox Studio, which has been our good neighbor for the past 63 years. Fox’s plan includes the restoration of 54 historic buildings on the site, thereby ensuring continued eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

Whether the city of Los Angeles has extended the tract map pertaining to Fox’s backup plan is an irrelevant side issue, and does not affect in any way Fox’s primary plan.

The studio wants to remain on the land that has been its home since its inception in 1929. As a “Friend of Fox” and founder of the Westwood Holmby Historical Society, I sincerely hope that the leaders of Los Angeles and those in adjacent cities will have the vision and foresight to support Fox Studio.

WENDY KAPLAN

Los Angeles