BUILDING A STELLAR FUTURE OBSERVATORY REMODEL POLISHES AN L.A. GEM.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

Although it's been closed for 18 months, the Griffith Park Observatory bustles with activity as the $83 million renovation of the stately icon gets into full swing.

Work crews are digging up the front lawn to make way for the underground Leonard Nimoy theater, gutting the interior planetarium and sanding off decades of exterior paint to prepare for a fresh coat.

The three-year project to renovate the 1935 building had been mostly on schedule - the first setback came Memorial Day Weekend when a slope gave way, temporarily stalling construction - and fund raising is about 30 percent shy of the goal.

``A lot's been done, and there's still obviously work to do,'' said Mark Pine, deputy director of Friends of the Observatory, a fund-raising group.

``It helps a lot that the construction project is under way up on the hill, so people can look up there and see this isn't an idea, this is real, and it's going to get done in a finite period. I know that when we reopen, people will be entranced and delighted.''

Plans call for doubling the size of the observatory, which will include the 200-seat Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater, classrooms, two new exhibit areas, a restaurant and an expanded bookstore.

But the landmark dome will remain on the building, which was donated to the city two generations ago with the provision that the observatory be free to the public - as it has been, welcoming 2 million visitors a year.

Last month, officials dedicated the Griffith Observatory Satellite, a temporary home in the northeast part of the park.

The satellite offers exhibits as well as weekend planetarium shows, positioning the small venue as a way ``to continue to make the stars available to the public,'' Pine said.

As construction has gotten under way, roads have been intermittently closed, curtailing popular hiking in the area. Construction managers say there have been no complaints made to a noise hotline.

Shoring up the slope could add as much as $300,000 to the contract, officials said, but they couldn't say whether it would delay the overall project completion.

Still, the construction has uncovered some gems - like the reliefs decorating the building's exterior that pop out now that layers of paint have been removed.

``The building, which has always been a source of delight and wonder in Los Angeles, continues to amaze us,'' said Observatory Director E.C. Krupp.

Krupp points to the Alpha and Omega reliefs at the entrance of the building that now stand out, as well as the building's original concrete that's now exposed.

``It's really quite stunning. After so many layers of paint, people forgot what it looked like,'' he said.

This summer, the copper is scheduled to come off the dome, sure to be an eye-catcher for commuters and others gazing up at the hill.

The Friends group is actively raising money to cover the difference between its $59 million in contributions and the $83 million price tag.

Funding has been gathered from a variety of sources - $28.5 million in city and county proposition funds; $7 million from the state; $7 million from the city; $11 million from foundations; $3 million from individuals - including Nimoy, the ``Star Trek'' star, and his wife; $400,000 from corporations; and $700,000 from competitive grants.

``We have almost all the money in hand - we'll get the rest of it,'' said former Valley-area City Councilwoman Joy Picus, a Friends board member.

``Now we need to get more and more smaller contributions. We're not letting any stone go unturned.''

Krupp, who along with observatory staff has moved over to the temporary site, is looking forward to the new facility's grand reopening in 2005, when the building turns 70.

``Because of this work, this building is going to be around forever,'' he said.

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

The Griffith Observatory Satellite is open 1-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. On clear weekend nights, a telescope is turned to astronomical highlights, and an astronomer takes requests and questions from dark until 9:45 p.m.

CAPTION(S):

8 photos, 2 boxes, drawing

Photo:

(1 -- color) Work crews dig up the observatory's front lawn to make way for the Leonard Nimoy theater.

(2 -- color) Steel beams under the Griffith Park Observatory entrance provide support during the $83 million project.

(3 -- color) Griffith Park Observatory's $83 million renovation is expected to wrap up in 2005.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(4 -- color) NEW SHINE FOR COPPER DOME

(5 -- color) After restoration, domes will shine like a new penny 

(6 -- color) After a year, domes will take on the patina of an older penny

(7 -- color) MOVIE ACTION

(8 -- color) STATUE RESTORATION

Box:

IF YOU GO (see text)

Box/Drawing:

NEW SHINE FOR COPPER DOME

SOURCE: Griffith Observatory; Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates; Levin and Associates, Architects

Reporting by Gary Robbins; graphic by Scott M. Brown/The Orange County Register