North Hollywood : Councilmen Pushing ‘NoHo’ Arts District

A week after officials voted tentatively to renew a controversial North Hollywood redevelopment project, city planners are looking into using the funds to promote the formation of a “NoHo” arts district.

The community is already working to increase its profile as an arts and entertainment alternative to Hollywood and Universal City. Officials are working to refurbish and add live theaters and cineplexes to the area as well as build lofts and studios for artists.

But Los Angeles City Councilmen John Ferraro and Joel Wachs have asked for the lion’s share of redevelopment funds set aside for the area to also be spent on promoting the arts district. Community Redevelopment Agency officials are now exploring the idea.

Last week, the CRA voted to extend an ambitious revitalization project in North Hollywood until the year 2019 with up to $535 million on top of $77 million already spent improving the area since 1979. The plan is now pending before the city Planning Commission.

Wachs said Tuesday that using “the lion’s share” of the $535 million for arts- and entertainment-related projects would revamp North Hollywood’s image as a blighted neighborhood and improve the local economy.

“The arts and entertainment industry are the most important major industries we have left in Los Angeles,” Wachs said. “This will send a message that North Hollywood is both arts- and business-friendly.”

If approved, “it could be a model program,” said Wachs, the council’s biggest supporter of the arts.