ARCO DONATION EXPECTED FOR DISNEY CONCERT HALL.

Byline: Reed Johnson and Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writers

In a major step toward the building of the long-stalled Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Atlantic Richfield Co. is scheduled to announce a $10 million donation today to get the project back on track, officials said Tuesday.

A news conference has been scheduled to announce the donation, which will get backers of the project nearly halfway toward their goal of raising the $52.3 million by June 30 needed to revive the venue that is seen as a key factor in the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles.

Arco officials were not available for comment, but sources familiar with the talks said the oil firm, probably through its charitable foundation, was prepared to step forward to help restore the facility across from the Music Center to provide an additional venue for downtown cultural events.

``This is a major step in getting the project back on track,'' said one official, who asked not to be identified. ``The Disney hall is another sign that the city is coming back and that we can bring back some vitality in downtown.''

The Disney Concert Hall - a futuristic complex designed by architect Frank Gehry - is one of a number of downtown projects either under way or planned for the future that city officials hope will restore both the heart of the city and bring new economic vitality to the area.

Other projects include a proposed sports arena-entertainment complex at the Convention Center and plans for a sports corridor stretching from Dodger Stadium to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Today's news conference is scheduled to include Mayor Richard Riordan, county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, businessman and Museum of Contemporary Art founding Chairman Eli Broad and Gehry.

In recent weeks, a number of prominent civic leaders, including Riordan and Broad, have stepped forward to lend political clout, prestige and even personal wealth to the proposed performance center at 1st Street and Grand Avenue.

Riordan and Broad have pledged $5 million each to the project. In addition, there has been a $5 million donation from the Los Angeles Times and an anonymous $7.5 million contribution for the construction.

Broad has said he expects to raise the $52.3 million demanded by the county by June 30 and hopes to raise $100 million by the end of the year.

``We all are hoping that this is a sign that the downtown area can come back and draw people,'' said a downtown civic leader, who also asked not to be identified. ``This is a good sign that business wants to play a role in bringing downtown back.''

The concert hall has been plagued with problems over the years and now faces a projected $150 million shortfall. The only structure on the property - a garage - has been used to provide parking for overflow crowds from the Music Center and for people serving jury duty.

The Arco announcement is seen as significant in helping Broad and other backers of the project in raising additional funds by showing a major corporate commitment.

In the decade since plans for the hall were first disclosed - when $100 million was donated by the Disney family and Walt Disney's widow, Lillian - costs have ballooned to $265 million.

Mike Bolin, Arco president and chief executive officer who serves on the committee charged with meeting the hall's fund-raising objectives, is scheduled to make today's announcement.

Arco maintains its world headquarters on Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles, a few blocks from the concert hall site in the city's Bunker Hill section.