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Ground broken for new Garfield High Auditorium

By [WAVE STAFF]
Story Updated: Jun 16, 2011



EAST LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District school board members Yolie Flores and Monica Garcia joined other elected officials, the community and special guests to break ground on a new auditorium and mian building for Garfield High School Saturday.

The new buildings will replace those damaged by an arson fire on May 20, 2007.

A 16-year-old freshman at the high school was arrested and convicted of setting the fire.

The fire started in the northwest corner of the school’s ornate auditorium that was built in 1925. The auditorium was considered an area landmark, with Depression-era glass chandeliers and ornate plasterwork covering the walls.

Also taking part in Saturday’s program were LAUSD Local District 5 Superintendent Roberto Martinez, LAUSD Interim Facilities Services Division Chief of Staff Bill Wherritt and Jaime Escalante Jr, the son of the famed Garfield teacher for whom an adjacent plaza will be named.Initially, the district pursued a plan to fully renovate the auditorium alone. However, studies revealed that the main building also sustained major fire damage

In order to meet state laws and ensure maximum safety of students and staff, a new and improved administration and auditorium facility was designed.

Completion of the project is expected in the spring of 2013 and is part of LAUSD’s $19.5 billion New School Construction and Modernization Program.