4 Communities Join Neighborhoods Program

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan on Wednesday announced the addition of four more communities to the city’s Targeted Neighborhood Initiative program.

Wilmington and the San Fernando Valley communities of Pacoima/Lake View Terrace, Van Nuys and Valley Glen will receive $3 million each over four years to spend on community improvements proposed by residents.

The city started the Targeted Neighborhood Initiative program in 1997 with 12 communities awarded grants. Earlier this week, Riordan designated eight other communities: Lincoln Heights, Byzantine Latino Quarter, Leimert Park, West Adams, Old Bank District, Pico, Mid-Cities/Adams, East Hollywood, El Sereno, Watts and East Wilmington.

The money, which comes from federal block grant funds, may be used for such improvements as street lighting, street beautification, public works projects and home ownership programs, said Claire Bartels, program director.

Riordan held a news conference on El Dorado Avenue in Pacoima, a road that for 80 years was dirt, but was paved with money from a 1997 Targeted Neighborhood Initiative grant.

“I want this to be a city where every community is empowered with the proper resources to make where they live beautiful,” Riordan said to a crowd of about 60 that included community leaders, city officials and students from nearby Telfair Avenue Elementary School.

The crowd gathered in front of a colorful, 66-foot-wide by 5 1/2-foot-tall mural painted by artist Dolores Guerrero-Torres with the help of area residents and Telfair students.

The mayor then headed to Wilmington where he announced that community’s targeted area at a conference attended by Councilman Rudy Svorinich Jr. and about two dozen community members at the Holy Family Grammar School.