On June 15, 2021, Senior Planning Deputy Jason Patrick Douglas from Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin's office appeared before the PLUM Committee to state Bonin's objection to landmarking the Chili Bowl at 12244-12248 West Pico Boulevard.

The reason given is clearly unsupported by visual evidence, and by the Cultural Heritage Commission's informed decision. Douglas said: "We find that the evidence in the record shows that due to extensive alterations to the structure, the property does not possess sufficient architectural quality or integrity to meet the criteria set forth to designate the structure as a Historic-Cultural Monument."

Because PLUM always defers to the local councilmember, they immediately moved to unanimously reject the Los Angeles Conservancy's landmark nomination, thus dooming the Chili Bowl to almost certain demolition.

As Friends of the Chili Bowl, we say no! This cultural landmark is simply too cool to die. Instead, it must be picked up and moved somewhere new, just like it was in 1939, and restored and reactivated for future generations of Angelenos and tourists to enjoy. We are petitioning Mike Bonin to halt the application for a demolition permit and to work with us to protect and move the Chili Bowl to an appropriate site to be determined within the City of Los Angeles.

Mike Bonin: you had the power to kill the Chili Bowl at PLUM, but you also have the power to save it. We are counting on you to listen to the voices of the local Neighborhood Council and the thousands of citizens who love the Chili Bowl, do the right thing, and save this weird, cool, only-in-Los Angeles building and honor the memory of the visionary restaurateur Art Whizin!

Want to know more? Visit our Chili Bowl information center at http://www.esotouric.com/chilibowl