July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Beloved West L.A. Courthouse Skate Plaza In Jeopardy

Sale of property may bring an end to famed skate park.

Sam Catanzaro

Skating and courthouses do not usually go hand in hand, but at the West Los Angeles Courthouse, skating is an everyday occurrence. This may soon change, however, as the property is being put up for sale.

In the 1990s, West L.A. skaters used to flock to the West Los Angeles Courthouse, located at 1633 Purdue Avenue, to shred in the courtyard, which has ample ledges to do tricks on.

“This is the O.G. spot for sure if you look at all the videos from back in the day,” said Sewa Kroetkov, a local skater. “People have always skated the ledges.”

In the early 2000s, skating was banned at the courthouse. In 2013, however, the West Los Angeles Courthouse closed down due to budgetary constraints and in 2014, was opened to the public for skating and soon became popular again. With ample space and smooth ledges, the “West LA Courthouse Skate Plaza” is one of the best places to watch skaters on the Westside.

Local skater Paul Rodriguez at the 2014 opening of the skate plaza. Photo: Courtesy Charlie Lopez (Facebook).

“I love coming to this spot a lot because it is close to where I live and there are always people to skate with,” Kroetkov said. “It’s just a paradise every single day.”

“Friendships were formed and bonded there. A lot of the greatest skateboarders displayed their amazing talent and style. Many video parts were filled with lines throughout it. When skateboarders from all over the world visited, they made sure they stopped by the courthouse to skate there. It was truly a global skateboarding landmark,” California Skateparks wrote in a statement.

Last month, however, California Gover Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that will put the courthouse and adjacent court facilities up for sale. The bill, which was authored by  Assemblymember Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, is expected to generate millions of dollars in revenues for the state.

The bill, which went into immediate,  effect, authorizes the State Judicial Council to sell the buildings a “at fair market value,” and gives the County of Los Angeles the right of first refusal.

It is unclear how much longer skating will be allowed at the courthouse.

<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...