P.U. Blog of the Week: October 11-17, 2005

This week I'd like to give props to The Ambassador's Last Stand. Mike, half of the "dynamic duo" behind Franklin Avenue (arguably the best blog in and about Los Angeles), has been following the controversy regarding the destiny of the historic Ambassador Hotel for over two years. Last week he launched this "spin-off" blog documenting the hotel's last days while it is slowly (but surely) being demolished by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to make way for a mega-school serving 4,200 students.

Unfortunately, Angelenos have become accustomed to seeing their city's history eviscerated in the name of "progress." While I certainly understand that there is a pressing need for more classrooms here, I believe that LAUSD didn't make a conscientious effort to preserve this important landmark. While I moved to L.A. long before the hotel closed in 1989, the building holds a special place in my heart since I once lived only a few steps away from it. I applaud Mike's effort to document the Ambassador's destruction and honor its history.