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The Smell's Landlords Say They're Not Demolishing The Block... Yet
Pocahaunted performs at The Smell in 2009. (Photo by la-underground via the Creative Commons)
Despite the ominous notice of demolition posted on their building on Friday and the #SaveTheSmell GoFundMe launched days later, The Smell and its neighbors should be able to breathe easy... for now.
In an email to Noisey, Joe's Auto Parks COO Kevin Litwin—whose parent company is the property owner of the building in which The Smell is located—says they "literally had no plans" to demolish the building. As reported by LAist on Tuesday, the notice was only for a demolition pre-inspection application, and Litwin said to Noisey that the application was only to keep the option open.
Noisey also obtained a copy of the letter that will or has been distributed to the tenants of the building, which said, "Landlord is merely considering the potential for demolishing the building at some point the future, which is why the notice was posted per local rules as a prerequisite to pulling a demolition permit."
It continued, "Rest assured that if Landlord ultimately decides to demolish the building, you will be given adequate notice to ensure that you have time to make alternative arrangements for relocation."
So The Smell's home won't be demolished... yet. Jim Smith, who has operated the D.I.Y. venue since they opened in 1998 in North Hollywood, says they are still keeping their eyes open for a new home. "They still haven't given us any solid commitment in terms of a timeline," Smith told LAist.
He hopes to remain downtown in a central location that's easily accessible by public transit. Smith also says that Daniel Wright-Fresco, a local homeless man that has become the venue's unofficial security guard, will be moving with them as well, telling Noisey, "Wherever we move, he's gonna come with us."
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