Deukmejian Approves Funding for Hollywood Exposition and Museum

Gov. George Deukmejian has signed a bill allocating $785,000 in start-up funds for a $53-million Hollywood entertainment complex.

The Hollywood Exposition and Museum bill was sponsored by state Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) and was supported by Los Angeles City Councilman Michael Woo, whose district includes Hollywood. The museum would house television, radio, motion picture and recording industry exhibits.

The bulk of the funding for the project, which Woo has described as a “centrally located Smithsonian-type institution,” is expected to come from private backers. Last year, Roberti helped secure $140,000 in state money to study potential sites and exhibit sources for the project.

In a prepared statement, Roberti called the state funding approved by Deukmejian a catalyst for the project.

Phyllis Holzman, a Roberti aide, said the museum will be built somewhere along Hollywood Boulevard between Gower Street and La Brea Avenue. She said the state funds will enable museum supporters to pick a location within the next several months and begin further fund-raising for the project.