Sunday, February 05, 2006

"Reseda to the Sea"

The Daily News wrote a mish-mosh about Reseda today. The article illuminates some good things and some interesting history. They interview some locals & electeds, but I still wonder...

What about the fact that Canby Street and Sherman Way flood every time it rains? That's right next to the Reseda Theater.


What about the fact that the other major landmark in Reseda, on the northwest corner of Sherman Way & Reseda Blvd. just across from the illustrious theater is "Traders" - a two story, fifty-year-old pawn shop?

What about the fact that Reseda has only recently jump-started community participation with the election of the Reseda Neighborhood Council, nimbly led in its first years by John Fitzpatrick. The Chamber, led by he venerable Ann Kinzle, is the only other "Reseda-serving" community organization in the area - and it does what it can -as it's done for the last few decades. (There was a BID, but it couldn't keep it together because it was merchant based, and not property owner based. They had LANI monies, but that too fizzled without any real dramatic impact.)

Reseda has great potential being in close proximity to the 33,000 students of CSUN just few miles north; what is being done to capture their interest (& money)?

The West Valley Project area of CRA has done a lot in Canoga Park - if anyone can jumpstart Reseda, it's them. Not Dennis or Brad, but the Community Redevelopment Agency will do it under Ms. Lambert's proven leadership.

Now, if only the Tarzanians didn't stop Reseda Boulevard from connecting to PCH, there would have been an influx of Westside money into Reseda years ago... Or would there?

Oh... and what ever happened to the giant Donut there that is visible in the postcard above, next door to the theater that will be redone? Maybe they can bring it back?!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree that the CRA has everything to do with the revitalization in the West Valley. Regardless of who's responsible for the improvements, the important thing is that something is happening to move the community in the right direction. I think that a better managed Business Improvement District may be the next step for Reseda.

Anonymous said...

Los Angeles,
I love Reseda,Reseda CA is for me a best place to live. Reseda Reseda has everything we need to be happy.West Valley is a very nice communty..We live near by The West Valley Police Station.

Greg Stewart said...

Just to add ¢.02 here, I live in Reseda and have no idea that the Boulevard was beinig looked at to reinvigorate. I doubt bringing back the theater will return it to it's former glory. There is no longer a sense of civic mindedness. But then maybe that's my fault. Maybe I need to look more closely at my own backyard.