Contract Awarded to Jump-Start Arts District

The North Hollywood Cultural Arts District moved another step forward Friday when the City Council selected a Sherman Oaks firm for a $98,000 contract to promote the area.

Hormann and Associates beat out three other bidders for a one-year contract to set guidelines intended to jump-start the area’s economy.

The city hopes to develop interest by eventually building stores, restaurants and housing units, including artists lofts.

Hormann’s task will be to help make the area attractive to developers and potential visitors.

Local businesses stand to get a boost when two new Metro Rail stations on the Red Line open next summer, one at Universal City and one on Lankershim Boulevard.

“We have an excellent team put together,” said Susan Levi, a Hormann associate who will be the project manager. “We hope to begin in early June.”

Funds for the project will come from a community development block grant and revenue from new property development.

The firm proposes to gather information through surveys, devise a market-driven strategy, then involve stakeholders in implementing it.

The strategy will be designed to dovetail with existing programs, including the Streetscape Design Plan, the NoHo Arts Festival and the Commercial Facade Improvement Program.