Dear Friend of Pershing Square, Yesterday, Councilman Jose Huizar announced the winning design in the Pershing Square Renew competition: the French firm, Agence Ter, proposing a flat lawn and illuminated shade structure. We think it's unfortunate that the competition jury ignored the wishes of more than 2100 citizens who petitioned the city to restore John Parkinson's classic 1910 design. Of the four semi-finalists, three directly referenced the historic park layout. The winning entry, however, does not. The favorite of the Pershing Square Restoration Society was the historically-minded, forward-looking design submitted by James Corner Field Operations with Fredrick Fischer and Partners. Here's why: http://restorepershingsquare.blogspot.com/2016/05/winner.html Does this mean our restoration campaign is over? No! For as Christopher Hawthorne points out in the Los Angeles Times, many questions remain about how and if this proposal will actually be funded, approved and built. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-pershing-square-winner-20160512-snap-story.html We appreciate all of you who took the time to comment on the design competition, sharing your wish to see the park restored and the historic sculptures preserved and returned to their original locations. And although the competition results were a disappointment, it was clear that the finalists were all aware of the great interest in restoring the park. Our message got through, loud and clear. In the months ahead, we'll let you know how you can continue to have a voice in the park's future. For more information about the historic park, the restoration campaign and what comes next, please visit: http://restorepershingsquare.blogspot.com yrs, Kim Cooper & Richard Schave LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association & The Pershing Square Restoration Society