An official start to the transformation of one of Los Angeles’ longest-standing tourist attractions is underway as Urbanize LA is reporting that county officials have now begun the Environmental Impact Report portion of the La Brea Tar Pits master plan effective February 1st.

The Weiss/Manfredi-led design scheme will reconfigure the layout of the 12-acre park and George C. Page Museum into a better spatially organized program called La Brea Loops and Lenses. The comprehensive overhaul coincides with the more-publicized new Academy Museum and LACMA expansion next door to create a totally reinvigorated Hancock Park area in increments along a seven- to ten-year timeline. 

Weiss/Manfredi’s plan beat out DS+R and Dorte Mandrup for the commission thanks in large part to its emphasis on keeping the existing museum, which will be given an addition in order to expand the role of education for the 45-year-old institution. 

The review process will continue on March 2nd when a virtual hearing will be held in two sessions that are open to a public inquiry. A link to register for the hearings can be found here. The county will also consider any other comments or written inquiries to reimagine@tarpits.org received no later than March 16th. Archinect will share updates on the project as they become available.