SUN VALLEY : Officials to Submit Revitalization Plan

A $16-million plan to revitalize Sun Valley is expected to be submitted to city officials today.

The plan, developed as part of a citywide effort to revitalize eight neighborhoods, includes provisions for repaving streets, home improvements and a new community center. It was developed by community leaders in cooperation with City Councilman Richard Alarcon.

“We can have a positive impact in a small area and turn a neighborhood around,” said Alarcon, who grew up in the community.

The Sun Valley project is one of eight special projects being developed as part of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative. The federal government has invited the city to apply for grants for the project, meant to revitalize neighborhoods using funds from a variety of federal sources--including the departments of labor, housing, commerce and transportation. For all eight projects, Alarcon said, Los Angeles would probably ask for $80 million from the federal government.

The initiative is a rare example in which different branches of the federal government would be working together to improve a neighborhood, said Lillian Burkenheim-Silver, project manager with the city redevelopment agency.

Alarcon reviewed the proposal with community leaders in a meeting at the Sun Valley park Wednesday evening, making a few minor adjustments before the completed plan is submitted.

The plan includes funding for new facades and signs for commercial buildings, as well as repaved streets, increased parking and a new community center.

A home improvement loan program in the proposal would provide $1 million in low-interest loans to homeowners to paint and landscape their homes, and pay for electrical, plumbing, roofing and other repairs.

Also included would be money to upgrade Roscoe Elementary School and to retain and attract businesses to the area and rehabilitate buildings at Sun Valley Park. The gutter system would also be improved to alleviate flooding during rains.

Supporters of the plan said they hope that it will create something of a thriving downtown for the neighborhood, something more akin to San Fernando Road in Burbank, which has developed a village image.

“The creation of a new image is a central theme for this project,” Alarcon said. “If we improve the community, the chances are that crime will be reduced.”

A local committee would supervise the program, loaning out the money as it is paid back.

City officials expect to learn if the proposals are approved sometime in mid-February.