FIRST OFF . . .

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences--the folks who bring you the Emmys--officially got a new (future) home Monday, when a contract was signed by the academy and the Kensley Group, a developing/contracting group. Ground breaking is scheduled to begin in January on a new $100-million headquarters for the academy that will also house a hotel, apartments, restaurants and stores at the corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue in North Hollywood. The complex, scheduled to be completed in 1989, will be part of a $350-million, 250-acre city redevelopment project in the area--which is also destined to be the Valley terminus of the planned Metro Rail project. On hand to celebrate the signing were executives from the academy, Kensley Group, L.A. City Councilman John Ferraro and other community officials.