The Stories You Are About to Hear Are True: Preserving Parker Center
March 22, 2015
3:30 pm
LAPD Police Administration Building
Ronald F. Deaton Civic Auditorium
100 West First Street, Los Angeles
Join the Conservancy and community stakeholders for a conversation about the many layers of history at Parker Center (originally the Police Facilities Building, Welton Becket & Associates and J. E. Stanton, 1955). While many know it from the hit 1950s television police drama Dragnet, this building has a deeper and sometimes controversial history.
The City of Los Angeles, through its Bureau of Engineering, is pressing for a redevelopment project that will demolish and replace Parker Center. The Conservancy believes that Parker Center can and should be preserved and integrated into new construction. At this panel discussion, you will hear about the viable preservation alternatives, and through the conversation with the panelists, you will learn why it is important from a historic and cultural perspective to preserve this building.
Panelists will speak from a number of different points of view about Parker Center’s significance:
Construction as an early urban renewal project that demolished a major portion of Little Tokyo, as well as subsequently affecting the development of that neighborhood.
Innovative modern design by one of L.A.’s most prolific firms, Welton Becket & Associates, and its integration of public art and landscaping.
Importance as the most modern and state-of-the-art police facility of its day.
Association with Chief William H. Parker, whose time as police chief reduced corruption in the force, but also resulted in strained relations with the African- American and Latino communities.
Significance as a site of important historic events, such as the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Panelists include:
Michael Okamura, President of the Little Tokyo Historical Society
Cheryl Dorsey, retired LAPD Sergeant, community advocate, and author of The Creation of a Manifesto: Black and Blue
Glynn Martin, retired LAPD Sergeant and Executive Director of the Los Angeles Police Museum
Chris Nichols, Associate Editor at Los Angeles Magazine and former Chair of the Conservancy's Modern Committee
Richard Barron, Chair of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission
A reception with light refreshments will follow the panel discussion. For more information, and to reserve your seat at this free event, visit laconservancy.org/parkercenterpanel.