Finally had the chance to swing by Fire Station #23, used for interiors in the Ghostbusters films. For Los Angeles' crown jewel of fire stations, this is a sad story. /thread 
When it was built in 1910, Fire Station #23 was actually controversial for the expense involved in its gorgeous stylized interior using imported materials. From the Times: "the Peruvian mahogany...has been placed so that it gives the appearance of real flames."
After its closure in the 1960s, it was deemed the "Taj Mahal" of fire stations and designated an Historic Cultural Monument and put on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1980s, it began to see frequent use in movies and TV shows, most notably for Ghostbusters.
A non-profit, Olde 23, was set-up to collect the filming fees, and over $200,000 was raised to restore the firehouse to its 1910 condition. Then, in 1995, a scandal broke when it was revealed that basically none of this money went where it should have.
Exactly what happened after is a little murky, but it appears that the firehouse was used for filming up until around 2005. In 1996, the site was dedicated by ballot measure to eventually become a youth center, but this was put on hold.
Then abruptly, in 2009, the property was declared surplus just as a developer announced places to come in and transform the block, which is part of Skid Row. Eviction proceedings began against the caretaker, who had lived there for two decades and kept it in solid shape.
After, it was boarded up....and left to fall apart.
On a recent job, I worked like hell to get in, if only to scout the property and see its current state. After being bounced around from agency to agency, I never got an actual answer other than it is no longer safe for entry.
As for whether in active transformation into a youth arts center as you often read, the answer seems to be no. Here's the project task order (cityclerk.lacity.org/CouncilAgenda/…), but if it's actually going to be finished by 9/18 as slated...they have a lot of work to do.
It's really sad to think that as recently as 2005, it was at least safe serviceable condition and known as one of Los Angeles' most famous filming locations. Today, Skid Row's once proud jewel of a fire station decays in neglect and bureaucracy.
If anyone has any information suggesting otherwise, PLEASE let me know!
Any good word on this, @BrooksScarpa?
