Safety First

Re Joe Cornish’s July 13 letter, “Where Lofty Living Meets Downtown L.A.”: Oh, Mr. Cornish, please! You make loft living sound like a stint in the Crusades with your term “weak at heart,” referring to those tenants who were fed up with conditions. My daughter and her friend are anything but; they were prepared for the whole gritty urban scene and loved the area. I visited and stayed with them and loved the area too.

What they and I did not like were the conditions at the Hellman Building (first four letters only too appropriate). A roof fire, chunks of the ceiling falling down, etc. We all are anxious to see downtown succeed; more preparation is first needed for some of these buildings to become safe.

Sharon Dellamarie

Sugarloaf, Calif.