Group Unveils Area Revitalization Plan

In an effort to improve the quality of life for area residents, a local partnership Friday unveiled its plan to revitalize the economically depressed neighborhood by the year 2000.

Local Development Partnership launched Pacoima 2000, at a ceremony in front of a gutted house at 13200 Louvre St. to illustrate its commitment to boost homeownership, jobs and revitalization projects in the area by the turn of the century.

“Just as we can build up this house, we can build up our community,” said Di Di Renee Barney, business development director for Hope America Inc., lead agency for the partnership, a collaborative of nonprofit, public and private entities.

The partnership’s first project will be to transform the dilapidated Louvre Street property into a four-bedroom, three-bath home, said Mitzy Medina-Spilman, public relations director for Hope America Inc.

“Hope America likes to purchase the most run-down properties and turn them into classy, stylish affordable homes,” Medina-Spilman said, standing in front of the house that had been stripped to its frame and foundation.

Additionally, Pacoima 2000 plans to rehabilitate 300 area houses and help 500 residents become homeowners, Medina-Spilman said.

On another front, Pacoima 2000 also intends to place 1,000 residents into new jobs, many of which will be construction jobs created as a result of housing rehabilitation projects, Medina-Spilman said.

Local Development Partnership also hopes to organize 50 block clubs and enlist 2,000 volunteers to take part in community beautification and neighborhood watch groups, Medina-Spilman said.

“If we don’t fix our community now, we’ll only have ourselves to blame in the future,” Barney said. “For every negative thing that happens in the community, I resolve that we will do two positive things” to improve the neighborhood.