Face-Lift Targets

Along a battered stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard, the biggest question is where to begin repairs.

The area could use new storefronts and building facades. Improved sidewalks, curbs and gutters would be appreciated. And a few trees, benches and other landscaping might be nice too.

A complete face-lift, some local merchants hope, could result in a jazzy new Pacoima Town Center that would boost the area’s economic vitality.

“I have very high expectations,” said Marlene Grossman, project director for Pacoima Beautiful, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the area. “If you drive up and down Van Nuys Boulevard, we need everything.”

Pacoima is one of 11 communities throughout Los Angeles included in the city’s Targeted Neighborhoods Initiative, a three-year, $33-million program that will use federal funds to fund improvements.

The program was created by Mayor Richard Riordan last year. The first $1 million per community was approved by the council in late December and is expected to be available within several months.

Officials are considering what might work best for each neighborhood and what adjustments might be required for existing businesses, residents and organizations. Federal guidelines allow the grants to be used for housing construction and rehabilitation, commercial development and enhancement of community facilities.

Additional Valley sites are in North Hollywood and Canoga Park. Other sites are Highland Park, southern Crenshaw Boulevard, Vermont East, Central Avenue, Washington Boulevard/Mid-Cities, Echo Park, Boyle Heights and Harbor Gateway.

Daniel G. Morales, a program manager for the Valley Economic Development Center, said the funds are catalysts for bigger and better revitalization through public and private resources.

“These projects seem to start bringing the community together,” Morales said. “The community feels that, yes, they’re listening. That’s important.”

In Pacoima, the target area focuses on about a 1 1/2-mile stretch on Van Nuys Boulevard between Glenoaks Boulevard to the northeast and the Golden State Freeway to the southwest.

The strip is cluttered with businesses squeezed onto mostly small lots. Just about anything imaginable can be found.

On one block between Tamarack and Telfair avenues, a small grocery market is situated next to a boarded restaurant, a closed beauty salon, a tiny Pentecostal church, furniture store, video store, a small home promoting tax services and an auto service shop.

Directly across the street is a large market still announcing its grand opening in October. Next door is a church emphasizing bible studies, which is next to a botanica, a small single family home for sale by its owner, and a restaurant.

Throughout Van Nuys Boulevard, many blocks are much the same.

Maria Mora and her husband, Mario, own the Luzma Toys & Electronic shop on the boulevard, near San Fernando Road.

Mora said the couple opened the store about a year ago after selling knickknacks from shopping carts on the streets. An improved boulevard would be good for business, regardless of where the center might end up, she said.

“Pacoima is growing,” she said. “The cleanliness and the nice presentation would be good for all the merchants.”

In North Hollywood, residents are seeking improvements in several areas.

Along Chandler Boulevard plans call for changes such as a landscaped bikeway, additional parking for businesses, better lighting and murals.

In the troubled Whitnall Highway area of North Hollywood, residents must cope with deteriorating homes, gangs and drug dealing. The community wants a park built along a large utility median and expects the city to pay closer attention to problems stemming from poor apartment management.

Residents also are seeking improvements along Burbank Boulevard from Clybourn Avenue to Lankershim Boulevard. The improvements sought include wider streets, better lighting and trees, officials said.

North Hollywood Park, a centerpiece for the community, requires more public parking, while the NoHo Arts District needs help with small business development, officials said.

In Canoga Park, the target area is around Sherman Way.

A key element is the rehabilitation of the Guadalupe Center, which offers social services from its headquarters at Hart Street and Remmet Avenue.

As with other neighborhoods, Canoga Park is eager for landscaping, street furniture and better lighting and signs.

“Obviously, we’d like to see it sooner than later,” said Ronald B. Clary, president of the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce. “Every block that we can improve on Sherman Way is going to make it more marketable and attractive.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Targeted Neighborhoods Initiative

The initiative covers 11 neighborhoods--including Pacima, North Hollywood and Canoga Park in the San Fernando Valley. Each area, where specific programs are expected to begin this spring,will receive $1 million a year for three years.

The three-year, $33 million program is designed to use federal funds to help community organizations improve their neighborhood. Federal guidelines for the grants allow:

Housing construction and rehabilitation.

Commercial development

Enhancement of community facilities