Committee OKs Hollywood Center Despite Protests

Plans for Hollywood Center, a $150-million complex that would bring an office tower, a 400-room hotel and a motion-picture museum to Hollywood Boulevard, won unanimous approval Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Council planning committee.

The three-member committee supported the project despite objections from a small group of homeowners who said it will worsen traffic and create a skyline of tall, bulky buildings. The project, to be developed by Indianapolis-based Melvin Simon & Associates, would be located on an eight-acre site at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, adjacent to Mann’s Chinese Theatre.

Homeowners appealed to the City Council after the project’s plans won strong approval last month from the Los Angeles Planning Commission. But even some critics predicted it will win final approval when the full City Council reviews plans on Dec. 16.

Hollywood-area Councilman Michael Woo has announced he will support the project.

“The council is very prone to giving the councilman of the district what he wants,” said Brian Moore, president of the Federation of Hillside and Canyon Assns. “I don’t see any victory there.”

Woo has described the complex as an important element in Hollywood’s $922-million redevelopment effort, which began in May. He said the project will help bring other new development that will be necessary to revitalize the community.