CLA MEMORANDUM Assignment No.: 05-05-0732 Council File No.: 05-0002-S109

TO: Honorable Members, Arts, Parks, Health & Aging Committee

FROM: Gerry F. Miller a,. ~"M ~ ~ Chief Legislative Analyst

SUBJECT: Conservation of the

RECOMMENDATION: Include in the City's 2005-06 Legislative Program SUPPORT for legislation and/or administrative action to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to ensure that the Frank 1924 Ennis House, an important historic site, is adequately funded to enable repair of its 1994 Northridge Earthquake damage and that additional time be granted to enable the execution of proper rehabilitation of this site as provided for in the Secretary of State's guidelines for historic preservation, as recommended by Resolution (LaBonge - Garcetti).

SUMMARY: , one of the world's premier architects of the 20th Century, designed his 1924 Ennis house in the Los Feliz District of the City of . Investigations have shown that this architectural masterpiece has been determined to be an important part of our nation's cultural fabric. The Ennis House was declared to be a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument as well as a State of California Landmark. This house is also on the list of the National Registry of Historic Places and on the America Treasures Property list. Resolution (LaBonge- Garcetti) asserts that the Ennis House was recently listed on the World Monument Funds list of the 100 most endangered culturally important sites in the world. The Ennis House, which is now 80 years old, suffered substantial damage in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. The House recently suffered additional damage from the 2005 rains storms that resulted in near record precipitation in Los Angeles. This Cultural Monument is an important piece of the City's history that should be protected and rehabilitated.

The City has learned that the non-profit corporation that owns this property is in need of help to finance the rehabilitation of this site and now requires assistance in securing funds to match its FEMA. Approximately $2.5 million will be funded by FEMA, leaving approximately $1 million to be raised by contributions to the Ennis House Foundation to cover the repair project. The Foundation continues to perform rehabilitation work and has secured the services of Eric Lloyd Wright to serve as its primary architect. It is anticipated that all needed preservation efforts will require approximately $12 million dollars. The City is facing budgetary restraints which makes the use of City funds unavailable for the rehabilitation of the Ennis House. As a restJ.\t, Resolution (LaBonge - Garcetti) recommends that the City recognize the activities of the Ennis House Foundation in soliciting donations of money and services for the purpose of rehabilitating the Ennis House. It is recommended that the City express its support for legislation and/or administrative action to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to ensure that the Frank Lloyd Wright 1924 Ennis House, an important historic site, is adequately funded to enable repair of its 1994 Northridge Earthquake damage and that additional time be granted to enable the execution of proper rehabilitation efforts as provided for in the Secretary of State's guidelines for historic preservation.

FISCAL IMPACT: There is no impact on the General Fund.

DEPARTMENT(S) NOTIFIED: The Cultural Affairs Department

Attachments: 1. Resolution (LaBonge - Garcetti)