The neon sign above the Felix Chevrolet dealership at Figueroa and Jefferson Boulevard in Los Angeles has been lighting up the night since 1958 and was just declared an historic-cultural monument, surviving potential redevelopment of the corner property that would require the sign be torn down. It is a landmark familiar to thousands and makes up a part of the city’s character.
Designations like this are a tough call since they can stand in the way of development, making it very difficult to remove them in future situations when it makes little sense to keep them on that spot, but currently, it looks like the sign stands and the area around that corner will see the Felix Chevy sign for many years to come.
Link: LA Times (reg. required) via BoingBoing
Photo: LA Times
Both development and landmarks can coexist. In Santa Monica, the sign and building from an old Deli that had been closed for over 20 years, Zuckys was kept and blended in for a new tenant, a bank. Also in Santa Monica the facade of a nearby building was kept and is part of the new mixed use structure ala the Merv Griffin Studios facade near Sunset and Vine in Hollywood. Its all good.
Personally I think that is fantastic. I love Felix the cat. Lately, seeing how pathetic some of the cartoons on TV are, I started to remember the good old days.
i love felix and i also think this is more then a historcal monument