Red Line Construction

Frank del Olmo’s column of May 12 contains a reference to the Wiltern Theatre, a venue we own. His suggestion that MTA’s Red Line “will probably help save the landmark Wiltern Theatre” is a proposition that stands in direct opposition to reality.

The simple truth is that the owners of the Wiltern Theatre, Bill Graham Presents management and the appreciative citizens of Los Angeles saved the Wiltern. The MTA did its best and almost succeeded in destroying, not saving, the Wiltern. Their construction practices were devastating to the theater and to properties and businesses along the route.

The Wiltern opened in May 1985 and gained revenue for seven consecutive years, reaching a remarkable level of profitability for a venue without a single dollar of public or philanthropic funding.

As soon as the MTA began construction, our revenues dropped and continued to decline until construction ended four years later. The moment Wilshire Boulevard was cleared of Metro Rail construction, business at the Wiltern immediately began to rebound and 1996 is already demonstrating significant improvement. Metro Rail will not open to Western until July 13, so it clearly has not contributed to our post-construction success.

Del Olmo is right to raise concerns about the MTA and provides a service by doing so. Our experience suggests that before attributing success to Metro Rail, the first priority for those concerned about the Eastside should be to prevent the kind of damage and destruction that MTA has caused to important Los Angeles districts like downtown, mid-Wilshire and Hollywood. MTA’s new management may offer hope that the Eastside will have a better experience.

WAYNE RATKOVICH, President

Ratkovich Co.

Los Angeles