Hollywood Renewal

Joel Kotkin’s article about Hollywood (Opinion, March 24) was right to give Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg credit for successfully confronting some of the same challenges I faced when I was in public office. But when Kotkin chose specific projects as evidence of progress, he failed to note that many of them started during my tenure as councilman for the Hollywood area.

* The Walt Disney Co.’s restoration of the El Capitan Theatre took place with considerable assistance from me and my staff.

* The proposed Hollywood Entertainment Museum was kept alive, in part, due to my urging the CRA to fund the museum, and will be located in the Hollywood Galaxy project, which I supported.

* Moving the American Cinematheque into the old Egyptian Theatre was my idea.

* The L.A. Free Clinic project serving homeless youth in Hollywood was opened during my tenure, after I urged the CRA to support it with a loan.

Kotkin cites expansion of Warner’s Goldwyn lot, failing to note that it is located in the City of West Hollywood. Kotkin also fails to mention the hugely successful Sunday morning farmers market on Ivar Street; the multimillion-dollar expansion of the Paramount Pictures lot; the new public parking structure between Cherokee and Whitley; the affordable housing projects on Cherokee, El Cerrito, and Franklin and La Brea avenues--all of which started during my tenure.

MICHAEL WOO

Los Angeles

* Here’s how I see Hollywood Boulevard.

First, we close the boulevard from La Brea to Vine Street to all through traffic. Then we fill in the center-divider strip with lush green grass and palm trees. On the edges of the strip I see a variety of local vendors’ booths (licensed, of course). I see a rail track running down the center of the strip with a renovated, historic Red Car carrying visitors back and forth (for free?).

Instead of the tremendous expense of tearing down the existing stores and buildings, why not use our home-grown expertise and construct affordable, appropriate and attractive “facades” in front of them? With the appropriate security measures, I can see a Hollywood Boulevard well worthy of long-distance visitors!

JON A. DOSA

Hollywood