Hollywood Boulevard

With reference to “Hollywood’s New Hurrah” (editorial, May 10), as a native son I’m thrilled at the prospects. I’ve seen the “new” Times Square and marvel at the improvement of the surrounding areas, as well.

What the city should be looking at now is to make Hollywood Boulevard a “walking street” between La Brea and Highland. With the additional parking places being planned and the Metro system station in the middle of the Trizec-Hahn project, it would start Hollywood’s revival.

I volunteer to help get the project started so that when the Oscars are presented in 2001, we can walk down the middle of the boulevard. Do we need a petition?

DONALD SELTEN

Los Angeles

*

I’m a talk-show host in Philadelphia. I read with interest your editorial, and I want to echo some of your sentiments.

Last summer I took my wife and children to L.A. for a 10-day vacation. We saw all the sights and spent a fair sum of money. The trip was so terrific that to this day, we will often run the home movie on our VCR and share the laughs all over again. One disappointment, however, was our visit to the center of Hollywood. I remember parking the rental car to show our 10-year-old Mann’s Chinese Theater and being concerned about the walk of a few blocks. Seedy best describes the view.

It’s in L.A.’s best interest to clean it up, so guys like me will continue to make the trip and to spend.

MICHAEL SMERCONISH

Philadelphia