$3 Million Added to Aid Neighborhoods
A citywide program to improve neighborhoods will be expanded with another $3 million in funds, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan’s office announced Thursday.
The program, known as the Targeted Neighborhood Initiative, was started four years ago in 12 areas, including Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Pacoima, Highland Park, Boyle Heights and south Crenshaw. The program focuses on low-income communities that can be spruced up through homeownership assistance, street improvements, commercial rehabilitation and new public facilities.
Areas seeking TNI assistance are nominated by a Los Angeles City Council member. The application then needs to be forwarded to the mayor’s office by Oct. 13.
With the new $3 million, up to a dozen additional neighborhoods will be added to the program.
In Pacoima, the TNI program has resulted in sidewalks on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, said David Gershwin, spokesman for City Councilman Alex Padilla.
“The northeast Valley can use all the help it can get,” Gershwin said of the TNI money.
“The big major improvements are coming,” added Marlene Grossman, who heads Pacoima Beautiful.
TNI will eventually result in new sidewalks, landscaping, tree planting and other improvements on Van Nuys Boulevard between the Golden State Freeway and Glenoaks Boulevard.
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