FAQ – Demolition of the Main Auditorium
Q. Why did you demolish?
A. We needed to adjust our mix of buildings. The large building was no longer suitable to us.
Q. Have you sold the property?
A. No. We explored that possibility as part of our feasibility study. Many developers expressed an interest, but no decision has been made.
Q. How does this help the community?
A. We believe community is more about relationships and loving your neighbor than it is about physical buildings. Many people from all backgrounds and faiths stop by our Christian Science Reading Room in Westwood Village, as an oasis from their busy lives. An outside personal recovery group providing life changing healing has been allowed to hold meetings in our existing structure every day, twice a day for over 12 years. Both of these community offerings would go away if we were not able to continue as a church.
Q. Why aren’t you preserving what some people think of as an historic building?
A. We do not feel we can continue our mission in Westwood unless we adjust our mix of buildings. We explored many alternatives but were not able to find one that preserved the building and allowed us to remain in Westwood if we didn’t demolish it. State law allows a religious institution this right. Those of us who have attended this church have loved it, but we now feel it is a time for regeneration.
Q. What is your plan?
A. We don’t know exactly what we will do. But we will remain here – as part of the Westwood community – for the foreseeable future. We’re continuing to pray about the right next step.
Q. Where are you currently conducting services?
A. In our existing building on the corner of Hilgard Ave and Weyburn Ave.
Q. How do we communicate questions, concerns about noise, dust, etc.?
A. Download this Letter to Neighbors pdf, complete it, and leave it in the mail slot at the Clerk’s office (1018 Hilgard Ave).
Q. Who can we contact if we have additional questions?
A. Send an email to mhiles@mphpr.com.
Q. Who can I contact if I have an emergency?
A. Call 310.500.6700.
Q. How long will parking be restricted directly next to the site?
A. The tow away zones on Lindbrook and Hilgard, (the zones surrounding the property that the church owns), have been released back to their normal usage. Future needs for tow away zones will take place in September sometime and only on Hilgard. These FAQ's will be updated as our next steps are clearly outlined to us by the City of Los Angeles.