REVITALIZATION FETED AT NOHO ART DISTRICT.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

Mayor James Hahn celebrated the ongoing revitalization of the NoHo Arts and Entertainment District with a symbolic ``Phoenix Rising'' sculpture unveiled Thursday at the gateway to the community.

Flanked by Councilman Tom La Bonge and community leaders, Hahn welcomed the new artwork as he tallied the $2.6 million in neighborhood block grants spent so far on dog parks, an outdoor gallery, historic renovations and other improvements.

``This wonderful gateway represents a transformation of this neighborhood - this neighborhood that may have had some hard times in the past is coming back better and stronger,'' Hahn told nearly 100 artists gathered for the morning event. ``All these projects help beautify a neighborhood.''

The whimsical, 15-foot statue stands at Lankershim and Tujunga boulevards, heralding the district that has become home to the San Fernando Valley's creative community.

Local artist Stephen Schubert designed the $75,000 aluminum and bronze work anchored by a sphere with a perfectly balanced chair tilted atop. Above that, a bird - the phoenix - takes flight.

``Everyone has this ability to find something within themselves,'' Schubert said. ``That's what this sculpture's about, that's what NoHo's about.''

The unveiling coincided with the installation of more than 50 wood panels to decorate chain-linked construction sites where various development projects are under way.

The projects include: NoHo Commons, a 16-acre mixed-use project of apartments, lofts, shops and community services slated to break ground later this year; the Metropolitan Transportation Agency's staging area for construction of the new East-West Busway, expected to start construction this month; and the site of the old train depot, which is slated for renovation.

The $19,500 panel project was funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency and the MTA, with local artists paying $250 per panel for their contributions.

``Everything looks great,'' said Diann Corral, the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council president. ``We're really excited about the art projects. More importantly, we're excited about the two big developments - The Commons and Valley Plaza. There's a lot of stuff coming out of this area.''

Artist James Schendel, whose works ``Orb'' and ``Postcards'' were among the displayed panels, said he appreciated the venue to show his art.

``I'm just really grateful - it was a chance for me to have my work shown outdoors,'' he said.

However, despite the various developments planned, the area apparently still has work that needs doing.

As the festivities were under way Thursday, a protester held a placard reading: ``Need Burbank Boulevard Paved, Police, Parking, Not Useless Expensive Sculpture.''

CRA project manager Lillian Burkenheim said the work continues.

``Hopefully, we'll start here and continue down Lankershim,'' she said.

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Photo:

Mayor James Hahn, left, and Councilman Tom LaBonge help unveil a new sculpture near North Hollywood Metro Station.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer