Page "William Zeckendorf" Paragraph 8

Thorne reported to Pomerantz his opinion that the only way to restore credibility to the project was to actually " begin " construction, and Pomerantz went for the plan.

Thorne called Herrscher and asked if there was some small building they could demolish with a bulldozer, to begin to " break ground " for the Becket building.

Herrscher said there was a tin shack that was expendable and he'd make it available, as well as the bulldozer.

McCrary and Bill Zeckendorf Jr., vice-president of Webb & Knapp, also approved.

Thorne said that it should be a large affair with the mayors of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica, plus politicians and other dignitaries, invited, as well as all the Southern California press.

He and Pomerantz would find a star to " launch " the project by breaking a bottle of champagne on the shack prior to its being demolished.

Later, they secured Mary Pickford for that task.

It was all purely symbolic, since construction did not actually begin, but no one stated that openly, it was dramatic, and very successful.

The Los Angeles Times devoted almost three full pages to its coverage of the event.