Costa Mesa, CA, January 26, 2012: Juanita Tate was an inspiring woman of vision and courage, dedicated to improving the quality of life in South Los Angeles Neighborhoods. What better tribute to a woman with such high ideals and the courage to make her vision reality, than to make her the namesake of a school which will improve quality of life for families in this inner-city neighborhood? Once the site of dilapidated industrial businesses and a dirt field, this modern new school transforms the community and is a source of pride and inspiration. It creates a positive environment in which to nurture future generations of Los Angelinos. Present at the Grand Opening Celebration were representatives including Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, the Honorable Jan Perry, Los Angeles’ Ninth District Councilwoman and Mark Williams, son of the inspirational and visionary Juanita Tate.
When they first told me I’d get to embed with a team of architects building a structure out of tin cans for South Coast Plaza’s Festival of Children, I hoped we’d be creating something that might elicit wonderment in the eyes of little boys like me - something like, say, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. I was assigned to help build an 8-foot tall Hello Kitty.
With 82% of the firm’s employees being Underrepresented Individuals, Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP exemplifies the concept of social responsibility. For 32 years the firm has been working toward benefiting communities throughout California by providing high quality, energy efficient and inspiring facilities for learning and gathering; successfully addressing the challenging funding issues facing California’s public sector today.
The City of Westminster’s Support of Local Business results in an Award-Winning Community Center. The LEED Silver Miriam Warne Community Center, which serves both the City of Westminster and the Westminster Chamber of Commerce, has been recognized as “Best in the West”, receiving a Gold Nugget Award for its trend-setting qualities and geographic reach.
