Request for Additional Support

$7500 for Heritage Square Beautification

Dear Members of the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council:

Last year, the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council played a key role in helping to fund Phase I of a three Phase effort to greatly improve the entrance to Heritage Square Museum. Thanks to the Neighborhood Council's support, no longer are visitors to our Museum and to our community met by a rusty, old, barbed wire fence. Instead, they are greeted by lovely classic brick pillars and wrought iron, with a story all its own. As in-kind donations and volunteer support came in, the project has helped increase interest in the Museum and has given momentum to some long-overdue restoration work on the structures.

Heritage Square started out in the community as a last-chance haven for historically and architecturally important buildings from across Los Angeles. Over time, a beautiful park-like environment has grown up around the structures, giving rise to the Museum we know and love today. Until recently, the exception was the unattractive, barbed-wire, and chain-link fencing.

In 2008, the Museum plans to continue with the progress it has made in the way of beautifying Homer Street. We will once again be seeking a Community Beautification Grant in the amount of $10,000 with additional funding from other sources. This will give us the opportunity to continue replacing the barbed wire around the property with beautiful Victorian- era wrought iron, red brick masonry columns, new planters and greenery, and possible additional lighting. It is difficult to argue that continuing down this path will not enhance the beauty of the street. Last year the ASNC committed to the project in the amount of $5,000. In 2008, we are asking the ASNC for a slightly higher amount of funding, $7,500.

It is only through the support of groups like the ASNC that we are able to do what we do. I had mentioned how the ASNC's funding has helped to spark interest in the museum – I am happy to report that soon we will announce a major partnership with a paint company that will give us the chance to finish the exterior restoration of all the buildings at the Square.

Please, I urge you to support this project and make Heritage Square Museum the museum we all want it to be.

Sincerely,

Brian Sheridan
development@ heritagesquare.org

Director of Development
Heritage Square Museum
(323) 225-2700 ext. 221

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From: Pat Griffith
patgriffit@earthlin k.net

My suggestion for language for the motion: