This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Lankershim Boulevard Lighting and Trees

Here is my thinking on how Lankershim Boulevard needs to transform itself into to be attractive to all. 

I wanted to express a few thoughts and ideas to see how others feel on the street lights that were chosen for Lankershim street and the NoHo Arts District years ago. The plain 2 tier green post street lighting that was originally installed gives the street a bland, unattractive look and feel. With the rich culture of North Hollywood's past along with the growing artistic community and buildings that continues to flourish here I suggest we bring back the older antique street lighting you see on Magnolia street. This would enhance bring the feeling of our neighborhood back that old town feeling and give bring a more pedestrian and visual feel. Add a few finishing touches like iron bench's, hanging flowers from the street lights and we have a more visual user friendly arts district.

Most if not all costs could be underwritten through sponsorships from local businesses and people who live, work or play here. With each sponsorship include a plaque at the base of each fixture acknowledging the donor for their donation? To bring a more ascetic look and feel, remove the trees that are currently in the tree wells. These distract from our Boulevard, cover businesses, who BTW trim them down to an ugly stump. They become an eyesore, unattractive and a hazard due to the root system lifting up the sidewalks and curbs. If we view other streets that have gone through a transition such as Santa Monica Boulevard or even Palm Cyn Boulevard in Palm Springs with their majestic lighted Palms maybe then would be bring businesses to stick around. 

With the help of Paul Kerkorian our city councilman, local businesses, nurseries or garden centers to underwrite the cost of the removal and planting of new trees you might have your project covered. This project worked very well with an organization called Aid for AIDS www.aidforaids.net. Their ongoing project offers donors various levels of commitment by sponsoring a tree along Santa Monica Boulevard for people who have passed away from AIDS. With a donation of $2,000 you have a choice of purchasing the entire tree with your name on a plaque or for a lessor amount your name would be included with additional contributors. I purchased one myself for my partner who died from the disease. It's a lasting memory that lives on. We could utilize this idea to fund other projects that might be considered. 

As a community we need to come together voice our opinions to bring that change we are all looking for in NoHo and beyond.  

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