New L.A. landmark

Where else but here would deem an eight-story parking garage as a cultural monument. The Beaux Arts-style design by Curlett and Beelman at 816 S. Grand Avenue downtown got its new status Friday from the state Historical Resources Commission. Next stop is the National Register of Historic Places. The garage opened in 1925, when downtown streets were horribly congested — much worse than today. For 50 cents a large elevator lifted cars to the upper floors. It's the exterior that received the landmark designation — the interior has recently been converted into the South Park Lofts. The story and photo are in Saturday's Times.