Keep Ambassador Hotel as Cultural Landmark

I found “Ideals Are Swell, but Classrooms Are Better” (April 14), about whether to preserve the historic Ambassador Hotel, misleading. Steve Lopez seemed to blame the existence of the building for the fact that a young boy was being bused out of his neighborhood. I blame the fact that the L.A. Unified School District is just now embarking on a comprehensive building program after not addressing our city’s growth for more than 20 years.

We know that the LAUSD is famous for quick fixes becoming costly blunders aimed at placating our (justifiably) desperate citizens. I urge the LAUSD instead to use forethought by rehabilitating the Ambassador into educational facilities -- and teach children the value of cultural integrity that will give them pride in our future. Great cities honor their architectural landmarks; we should be joining them, not destroying what we have.

Alisa Smith

Glassell Park