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The impending demolition of what was once the Tower Records on the Sunset Strip reached its breaking point thanks to what may be the ultimate bit of bureaucratic dickering: The fact that preservationists attached color photographs of the building, and not black-and-white shots, to the paperwork they submitted to city officials. The paperwork was summarily sent back with a big old “REJECTED FOR BEING TOO BRIGHT” stamp, and while the people looking to save the building searched for some monochromatic shots of the building a Chicago developer swooped in and snagged the land, thus paving the way for “a multimillion-dollar office and retail complex.” What, no condos?
Priore said he submitted the application only after city representatives told him in person and by e-mail that color photographs were acceptable and that his paperwork seemed to be complete.
But on Dec. 11 the city informed him that black-and-white photos were required. Priore delivered them the next day to City Hall. On Dec. 13, however, the city sent him a letter stating that the application was incomplete because of the color photos and several other needed items. The letter was not postmarked until Dec. 14 and delivered until Dec. 21, according to Priore.
On Dec. 12, the city notified developer Sol Barket that his application — which had earlier been deemed incomplete — now passed muster. That meant Priore could not file for the resource designation which, if granted, could have permanently blocked demolition of the Tower Records building.
Priore’s lawyer, Brant H. Dveirin, suggested that city officials intentionally dragged their feet on the paperwork to give Barket time to submit his. West Hollywood officials deny that.
“The city staff doesn’t give development requests greater preference than designation applications,” said Michael Jenkins of the city attorney’s office.
And the actions of the city absolutely bear that out, right? Anyway, the new development, which will include high-end retail and a health club, will try to assuage the concerns of the preservationists, with the people in charge of the product going so far as to say that they might put “rock ‘n’ roll-themed decorations in the gym.” Whoa, guys! Don’t get too crazy there!
Tower Records to be scratched from Strip [LAT]
[Photo: AP]
These are the same sons of bitches that tried to stop Waynestock.
I’m all for preservation of things, but c’mon. The Sunset Strip Tower Records? Boooo-ring.
However, the city’s totally playing games with Priore and for them to claim otherwise is pretty much an insult to everyone who can walk and chew gum at the same time.
I’m saddened by the extinction of the record store, but come on – you’re trying to make a historical monument out of the Tower on Sunset? It’s just a bright yellow box with a parking lot attached. Spend your time saving LA indie institutions like Rhino Records or Aron’s Records. I’ve got no nostalgia for Tower in general, much less this particular location (though I did spot Chris Rock in there once…my first celeb sighting ever!).
If you ask me, most of the Sunset Strip could use an overhaul. It’s outgrown the “seedy rock & roll glamour” phase and is now just a novelty for tourists and hip LA clubsters.
@Jasonbob7: Why all this talk about clubbing LA hipsters?
So where was everybody when Ben Frank’s (arguably a much more important site on the strip) was transmogrified into the hideous Mel’s Diner?