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BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Hollywood Bowl reopening pg. 3 Partly cloudy, • Friedman with highs in reflects on term the 60s as mayor pg. 5 Volume 31 No. 15 Serving West Hollywood, Hancock Park, Beverly Hills and Wilshire Communities April 15, 2021 One Beverly Hills sees success Residents breathe sigh of relief after in Planning Commission n Project may head to City Council next week tents cleared in Beverly Grove n Housing is found for BY CAMERON KISZLA restaurant space, and botanical gar- dens on both sides of Merv Griffin people at encampment, In the first of what could be three Way, received some preliminary abandoned building will meetings on the project, the approvals, including for the envi- be razed Beverly Hills Planning ronmental impact report, in a pair of Commission began positive 4-0 votes. Commissioner Thomas momentum for the One Beverly Hudnut recused himself from dis- BY EDWIN FOLVEN Hills project on April 8. cussions because he has “an equity One Beverly Hills, a 17.5-acre investment in property adjacent to Tents were cleared earlier this mixed-use project that will include the project.” week from the corner on San hotels – including the existing The April 8 meeting did not Vicente Boulevard and Orange Waldorf Astoria and the Beverly Street after the city found tempo- Hilton – residences, retail and See Hotel page 21 rary housing for people at an encampment located there for months. The encampment, which some said was a center of criminal activity, became a heightened con- cern after the murder of a 31-year- old Maryland Drive resident on photo courtesy of Molly Basler March 29. The victim was stabbed Residents of Beverly Grove gathered on April 10 near San Vicente and to death during an alleged bur- Wilshire boulevards to discuss ways to make the community safer. glary committed by a man who police said was a transient and had suspect to the encampment for- was encouraging, residents said. been staying in a vehicle in the merly at San Vicente Boulevard “I feel like the neighborhood neighborhood. The suspect died and Orange Street. Regardless, the can finally take a breath now,” rendering © DBOX for Alagem Capital Group by suicide shortly after the homi- encampment and the murder had said a resident near the site who The One Beverly Hills project may bring multiple towers to the western cide. been a concern in the neighbor- portion of Beverly Hills. Police have not connected the hood, and the removal of tents See Homeless page 21 Cinerama Dome, The Grove theaters in doubt Raman calls for patience in n ArcLight owner closes theaters due to pandemic solving complex problems n Issues will take time, BY JUSTIN SAYERS but councilwoman said Pacific Theatres and ArcLight she remains committed Cinemas’ announcement this week BY EDWIN FOLVEN that they would not reopen follow- ing the coronavirus pandemic sent Los Angeles City shockwaves through the movie Councilwoman Nithya Raman industry, leaving the immediate outlined plans for addressing future of two popular theaters in issues in the 4th District and doubt. responded to criticism that things The owners of the company aren’t moving forward quickly shared the “difficult and sad news” enough in her first interview with in a statement on their website on the Beverly Press and Park Monday, April 12, saying they photo by Justin Sayers Labrea News since being elected won’t be reopening any of their Film lovers have launched a petition to save the historic Cinerama Dome in November. locations, which includes the his- on Sunset Boulevard. Raman, who was elected after toric Cinerama Dome and the unseating incumbent David Ryu, Pacific Theatres at The Grove. photo courtesy of the 4th District office championed help for the city’s Councilwoman Nithya Raman “This was not the outcome any- your dedication to our customers. theaters. The announcement came unhoused population during her one wanted, but despite a huge To our guests and members of the just weeks after the Los Angeles grassroots campaign. She said effort that exhausted all potential film industry who have made going County Department of Public her first few months in office ic neighborhoods, and she is try- options, the company does not have to the movies such a magical expe- Health allowed theaters to open and were spent assessing the magni- ing to meet with as many commu- a viable way forward,” the state- rience over the years: our deepest expand capacity to 50%. nity groups as possible. She asked tude of homelessness in the dis- ment read. “To all the Pacific and thanks. It has been an honor and a The decision prompted public trict and connecting with differ- for patience from those she hasn’t ArcLight employees who have pleasure to serve you.” outcry from well-known actors, ent city agencies and depart- met with yet, and said she is com- devoted their professional lives to Representatives from Pacific directors and producers, who took ments. mitted to building more relation- making our theaters the very best Theatres did not respond to a to social media to react to the news. Raman also said she has been ships as quickly as possible. places in the world to see movies: request regarding plans for the See page hiring staff and getting up to we are grateful for your service and future of the dome and The Grove Theaters 22 speed with issues affecting specif- See Raman page 22 2 April 15, 2021 Beverly Press/Park Labrea News CALENDAR Beverly Hills seeks input on Welcome well-being, harmony and Foster care Art class calm into your life. estherleon.com. The Los Angeles County Museum of and adoption Art is holding a virtual one-day art projects near subway stations Children’s Bureau is offering a virtu- workshop for al program on becoming a foster par- adults on Joyce Carol Oates The city of Beverly Hills has ent and adopt- Saturday, April WordTheatre invites audiences to released its Connect Beverly Hills: ing on 17, at 10 a.m. meet Joyce Carol Oates and to hear Meet Me on Wilshire and La Thursday, April Create wearable one of her Pushcart Prize-winning Cienega Draft Streetscape Plan and 15, from 4 to 5 art inspired by stories performed live by James Design Standards. p.m., via Zoom. LACMA’s col- Cromwell and Tess Harper on It is the first in a series of pro- The program lection of jewel- Sunday, April 18, at noon. The virtual grams to prepare for the opening of will be hosted ry. Manipulate program will be followed by Q&A two Metro Purple Line Stations in session with the author and actors. by a Children’s and combine found materials such as Beverly Hills. The Wilshire/La Bureau team felt, recyclable paper and plastic, Tickets are $25. wordtheatre.com. Cienega station, anticipated to open member and a current foster parent. bottle caps, small plastic toys and in 2023, and the Wilshire/Rodeo RSVP requested by emailing rfre- other items to create unique pins to station, expected to open in 2025, [email protected]. wear or give to someone special. Fowler Museum are expected to significantly boost Artist Valentina M. Quezada will The Fowler Museum at UCLA is transit ridership and pedestrian lead the workshop. General admis- hosting “Lunch & Learn: Love activity along the two corridors. Art exhibit sion is $20. RSVP required. Divinities in Vodou Art” on The draft plan and standards out- Edward Cella Gallery is holding an my.lacma.org/events/21366. Monday, April 19, from noon to line upgraded pedestrian amenities exhibition of new paintings by 12:30 p.m. Join Katherine Smith, to create cohesive, attractive and German artist Matthias Reinmuth curatorial and research associate of Haitian art, as she explores an altar welcoming corridors that future titled “rise” from Thursday, April 15, Building through Friday, June 4. The exhibi- assemblage by sculptor Samuel subway riders will immediately François. Based in Port-au-Prince, recognize as being part of Beverly tion marks Reinmuth’s debut at the Bridges art Hijinx! Building Bridges Art François apprenticed under the Hills when they emerge from the gallery. The Exchange is holding an exhibition of renowned artist Pierrot Barra, two underground stations. The pro- artist considers his works to be mechanical sculptural works span- famous for his vodou-inspired ject also includes proposed concep- emotional land- ning 10 years by Argentinian artist sculptures. François’ work is char- tual programming for a potential photo by Edwin Folven scapes reflecting Cristian Castro from Saturday, April acterized by a bright, pop aesthetic. mobility hub at Wilshire Boulevard The city of Beverly Hills is consid- the constant 17, through Saturday, June 5. Curated Learn about the religious and histor- and Gale Drive to improve access ering options for enhancements flow of sounds, by Carlos Ortega, “Cristian Castro’s ical aspects of his art. RSVP to the future Wilshire/La Cienega around new subway stations. images and RobotiX: Intersections of Art & required. eventbrite.com/e/lunch- station. Project recommendations information that Technology” features repurposed dis- learn-love-divinities-in-vodou-art- will be incorporated into future converge in life. Appointments carded vintage appliances and tickets-148802838295. public and private projects on The Project Advisory Committee required to view the exhibition. 8687 mechanical tools transformed into Wilshire and La Cienega boule- will review and discuss the draft Melrose Ave., Ste. B310. edwardcel- robotic works of art. An opening vards, including Metro street streetscape plan and design stan- la.viewingrooms.com/contact. reception will be held on April 17, Sunlight and restoration, the city’s capital dards at the May 6 Traffic and from noon to 7 p.m.