Council sends Pico Union library design back to commissions after community objections

The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-0 on March 27 to assert jurisdiction over the design selected for the Pico Union branch library and to send the matter back to the Library Commission and the Cultural Affairs Commission for further work and community involvement.

Councilman Hernandez told the council the community had not been given meaningful choices in the design process and asked that the commissions reconsider the selection and allow stronger local participation. “I just ask that this council today unanimously support the motion to send this particular design for reconsideration back to the commission, and to allow the community to participate in the process,” Hernandez said.

Why it matters: Pico Union was included in Proposition DD as a candidate for a new library. Residents said the selected design is out of character with the neighborhood and that the design process gave the community little real choice. Supporters of the architect argued that landmark architecture can benefit the city and that architects commonly adapt designs in consultation with clients.

Public speakers described contrasting views. Janek Dombroda, an architect and USC instructor speaking as a parent, called the chosen architect “one of the preeminent architects in the United States” and said a landmark building can be a civic asset. “This is a large branch library in a fantastic location. So I think it's really critical that the building is a landmark,” Dombroda said. By contrast, Pico Union resident Gloria Carrias said the community felt disrespected and intimidated during the process and asked the council to require more local input and alternative designs.

Council members framed the vote as a process issue rather than a final judgment on the design. Councilman Wax said he supports community voice and suggested the architect and community could work collaboratively to improve the design. After a procedural vote to assert jurisdiction, the council separately approved the motion to send the design back to the Library Commission for reconsideration. Both votes were 12 ayes.

Next steps: The council’s action sends the design back to the Library Commission and Cultural Affairs Commission with a formal request that the commissions and the architect engage the Pico Union community in additional review and revisions. The commissions will take up the matter and are expected to report back to the council as required by charter and council rules.