North Hollywood Arts District

“Act 2 For El Portal” (Jan. 18) vastly inflates any importance of Actors Alley or El Portal lending any “credibility” to the North Hollywood arts district. Actors Alley presents shows solely to benefit its private audience with minimal consideration, at best, or any commitment for the neighborhood’s needs. And that minimum has been maintained solely to qualify itself for the $5.1 million in total federal grant money it has gotten. Revival of one building for one theater of self-interest will not give credibility to an entire neighborhood. The dozen theater and dozen other arts groups presently creating provocative, professional and award-winning shows are leading that revival, with no FEMA support. After any initial excitement for El Portal’s opening, that building will be viewed by all as another overpriced bureaucratic joke that it is already considered locally. That $5.1 million total FEMA money could have and should have reaped genuine benefits throughout the North Hollywood arts district by assisting art groups that are currently supporting the entire neighborhood’s needs.

KEN TESORIERE

Toluca Lake