‘Hollywood Revitalization’

The first paragraph states that any criticism of the redevelopment plan comes from a classic misunderstanding of how the process works. The authors explain it by saying that it is a powerful tool but is never a sure thing and not without negative side effects. “The question in Hollywood,” they state, “is whether significantly more good than bad will be accomplished.”

Well, that should reassure the critics.

They go on to say that this decisive plan covers 1,100 acres and will take 30 years of demolition and construction. One can only shudder at the drilling, banging and carting of tons of dirt by a myriad semi-trucks in our neighborhoods and through the canyons. They announce with pride the high-rise planned to dwarf the Chinese Theater and capitalize on its historical value and all the other projects waiting to duplicate each other with mini-theaters and fast-food glitz. They say “. . . We’re building a museum, though.” Ironically, the museum is what they’re tearing down. The whole town is the museum--even with its faults that’s what the tourists come here to experience. They want the real places, the atmosphere of yesterday.

The funding mechanism is the boon and the doggle. Churches and schools are high on the slaughter list because the tax base is open and the increment much higher. Hollywood High has already drawn developers’ attention. The Community Redevelopment Agency is not in the business of preserving towns because the tax increment is only greatly increased by the selling of large parcels to large developers.

The writers use phrases like “restoring the glory” and “commensurate to its image.” I wonder if that glory had anything to do with gigantic buildings blocking the verdant hillsides or was the Hollywood image we cherish a glut of shopping strips and low-cost housing?

Hollywood deserves better. This is not a project for the bureaucrats but for the artists to lead the way. Bunker Hill was a CRA project and world planners and architects called it urban lobotomy.

KAY ARMOUR

Hollywood