The Galen Center

U.S.C.'s new on-campus events center, or adjacent-to campus events center, at Figueroa and Jefferson, strives for a retro look, part Midwestern fieldhouse, part clean-lined, Public Works Administration (PWA) Moderne.



Restricted by the confines of its single, narrow block, the Galen Center is refreshingly unlike many other contemporary arenas, ringed by acres of blacktop and parking.

The University's Eastern border make-over or build-up continues, including the "Gateway" development at Jefferson and Exposition: 421 student apartments, parking, and street level services (Quizno's, Robeks, Coffee Bean & Tea, etc).

I'd support the Galen Center utterly, even with the parking concerns, if only it didn't likely hasten the demise of the increasingly tenantless Los Angeles Sports Arena, previously spurned by the Lakers & Kings, and Clippers--and now Trojans!. Graced with a broad, distinctive crown (and slick terrazo floors on the concourse level), the arena was opened in 1959 (and ergo is not new enough to be "new", nor old enough to be "old").

Undoubtedly, the arena will now be sacrificed to the National Football League nazis, concessions to a relocating franchise.