Mayor Brings Good News to Van Nuys

A swarm of boys and girls surrounded their object of admiration in the rowdy playground, yelling and screaming in a scene that resembled a rock concert or sporting event.

But the person in the middle of the mob Thursday was not a tough athlete or famous rap star. It was Mayor Richard Riordan, handing out high fives and hugs to the children during a visit to Van Nuys Elementary School.

“What I like about him is that he is kind and nice,” said Joe Sanchez, a fifth-grade student council member who helped give Riordan a tour of the school. “He talks to you back.”

The visit to the neighborhood around the Van Nuys Civic Center was a chance for the mayor to see a modest area that has recently been designated to receive a combination of public and private programs for business, school and other improvements.

Riordan ended his 90-minute tour at a parking lot near the Van Nuys school that will become one of four new primary centers in the city.

The centers--a handful of which have been in operation since the late 1980s--consist of a group of classrooms that house kindergarten through third-grade students who otherwise would be bused to less crowded campuses in other communities.

The mayor’s visit also included a walk along Van Nuys Boulevard, which is part of the recently designated 12th Targeted Neighborhood Initiative area.

That program, to be funded by a $1-million grant from the city, aims to improve the business environment and quality of life in the area.

“That’s very good,” Laura Amin, 26, said of Riordan’s visit to Van Nuys as the mayor strolled past Unique Discount store, where she works. “That means the changes they said they were going to be making, they’re true.”

The tour of the neighborhood began for the mayor and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski with a walk through Van Nuys City Hall, which remains shut down because of earthquake damage.

The mayoral entourage then proceeded onto Van Nuys Boulevard, past discount stores and other modest businesses. With a few residents tagging along with him, the mayor discussed rent prices, crime and other concerns.

“We are looking at this area as a whole, concentrated effort,” Riordan said.

Augmenting the upcoming city and school programs, the Mid Valley Chamber of Commerce has begun the groundwork for a Business Improvement District.

Efforts to form such districts are underway in various communities around the city. Property or business owners assess themselves and use the money for such improvement projects as graffiti removal, lighting or even construction.

“I would like to see the area more like it used to be, very family-conscious,” said Phyllis Bales, a Van Nuys resident for 50 years, following behind Riordan.

The mayor walked several blocks to Van Nuys Elementary, where Joe Sanchez, 11, and Erica Hernandez and Kandianne Pierri, both 10, were waiting to welcome him.

“Before we begin the [campus] tour I would like to introduce you to . . . “ Joe began to read a script, naming school administrators and other adults.

Van Nuys Elementary exemplifies one of the 30 overcrowded schools that will add primary centers over the next three years, according to city and school district officials. It is one of four scheduled for construction this year.

The school, which operates year-round, has 1,100 kindergarten through sixth-grade students. An additional 200 students from the neighborhood are bused to schools in the West Valley, said Assistant Principal Michelle Brenner.

The Van Nuys Primary Center will cost an estimated $3.5 million--money secured from Proposition BB school bonds--to purchase a parking lot owned by the Department of Water and Power and provide the buildings. It is due to open in the fall.

At least one Van Nuys student was puzzled by all the commotion Thursday.

“Who are you?” asked Ronald Herrera, 6, as the mayor knelt to talk to him.

“I’m the mayor,” Riordan answered.

“What’s a mayor?” Ronald asked.

“The leader of Los Angeles,” Ronald said the tall man told him.