North Hollywood : 2 Council Members Back Project Extension

Despite vocal opposition at a hearing Wednesday, two influential Los Angeles City Council members voiced support for extending the life of a North Hollywood redevelopment project.

Councilmen John Ferraro and Joel Wachs, who each represent parts of the 750-acre North Hollywood Redevelopment Area, said they support extending the project past its 1996 deadline to give the Community Redevelopment Agency more time to rid the community of blight.

“There is a lot more to do,” Ferraro told the joint meeting of the council and the CRA. “Parking lots need to be built, commercial buildings need to be rehabbed, streets need to be improved and the area in general needs to be beautified.”

Wachs said he supports the extension but asked that the CRA guarantee that property taxes collected in the district will not be diverted to other areas of the city and that administrative costs be limited.

The hourlong hearing attracted more than 100 residents and business owners. Opponents, who say the CRA has wasted tax revenues and done little to eliminate blight, brought in blue-and-red balloons emblazoned with the words “No CRA.” Some also waved tea bags, a reference to the Boston Tea Party.

But supporters, including the North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and other business groups, argued that the CRA has improved the community and needs the extension to continue its work.

The extension would continue the project until 2019 and lift the spending cap from $89 million to a maximum of $535 million. The power to condemn property would also be extended to 2007.

The council and the CRA board will meet again next week to vote on the extension and hear the staff’s response to comments raised during Wednesday’s hearing.