Commission nominates Parker Center, longtime home of LAPD, a historic monument

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission nominated Parker Center, the iconic former headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Department, as a Historic-Cultural Monument during a commission meeting Thursday.

The commission wants to preserve the building, which was built in 1955.

The LAPD moved out of the facility in 2009. The current Police Administration Building is located at 100 West First Street, about a couple hundred yards away from the Parker Center.

The Los Angeles City Council is considering a $475 million proposal to tear the Parker Center down and build a 27-story high-rise in its place.

City Historic Resources Manager Ken Bernstein said the landmark status does not confer an "ironclad" protection against razing the building, but city officials would be given the opportunity to stop demolition.

On Twitter, some people are speaking out against the nomination. One person said the structure should be torn down because the building has no architectural importance.

Parker Center has been in its share of movies and TV shows. Most recently, it appeared in "Inherent Vice." It also appeared in the TV show "Dragnet" for years. It was also the focal point of the L.A. Riots in 1992.

The building was named after Police Chief William H. Parker following his death in 1966.

The council has 90 days to act on the commission's recommendation, with the option for a 15-day extension, Bernstein said.