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The Autry Museum of Western Heritage has withdrawn its $175 million expansion plans, citing in part the conditions proposed by Councilman Jose Huizar. What this means for the Southwest Museum is unclear — one of the objectionable stipulations was that the Autry commit to operating the other museum. Culture Monster, KPCC, L.A. Daily
* Huizar response: The councilman says in a statement:
I am surprised to learn that the Autry chose to withdraw its expansion plans in Griffith Park. For the record, I never opposed the Autry’s expansion plans.For the past two years, I acted in good faith working with the Autry to ensure that the Southwest Museum in Mt. Washington reopens as a viable and fully accredited museum.
I am thankful for the Autry’s work to date in rehabilitating the Southwest Museum. However, it has become clear to me that there is neither the will nor the financial commitment by the Autry to reopen the Mt. Washington site as a viable museum.I remain hopeful that the Autry’s decision to forego expansion could afford us the opportunity to start over and truly honor the spirit of the 2003 merger agreement between the Autry Museum and the Southwest Museum. First and foremost, both museums need to be on equal footing.
The Southwest Museum is the oldest museum in Los Angeles and Charles Lummis left a lasting legacy highlighting Native American, Latino and Southwestern culture, which needs to be honored and preserved in Mt. Washington.”