PALEVSKY, MOCA REACH SETTLEMENT

Litigation between the Museum of Contemporary Art and former trustee Max Palevsky has been resolved, according to a press release issued late Tuesday.

Palevsky originally pledged $1 million to the new downtown museum--which opened to the public Wednesday--but paid only half that amount and refused to pay the remainder when he became dissatisfied with the museum’s architectural plans.

The release states that the litigation has been settled for “an amount exceeding the sum ($500,000) paid to the museum” by Palevsky but less than the total $1 million he pledged. Museum spokesmen declined to specify the exact amount. Palevsky could not be reached for comment.

Palevsky promised to donate $1 million in 1980 to help secure a $10-million endowment that would qualify the museum for a “free” building as part of the California Plaza redevelopment project.

A dispute broke out when Arata Isozaki was chosen as the museum’s architect and the museum’s architectural committee was restructured.

Palevsky in 1984 filed a complaint for restitution of funds and breach of contract, charging that the museum had reneged on a verbal promise to give him architectural control.