STUDIO CITY : Street Repairs Begin Near New Mini-Mall

Long-awaited street improvements connected to a recently opened Studio City mini-mall began Monday at the intersection of Ventura and Laurel Canyon boulevards, a spokesman for the developer said.

Additional turn lanes are scheduled to be installed and other improvements made to accommodate increased traffic created by patrons of Laurel Promenade.

Mini-mall spokesman Ira Handelman said the contractor is working with city officials to schedule work at night and during off-peak hours to speed up construction, which is expected to be completed by December.

The mini-mall, at 12050 Ventura Blvd., was the site of several protests this spring by residents angry that it was allowed to open before the developer had begun the promised improvements. A deal was struck last week in which the developer would begin the improvements this week and in turn was awarded occupancy permits for some of the mini-mall’s tenants.

“Traffic is probably going to be a mess for awhile, but we’re glad that things are getting started,” said Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Assn.