Laurel Plaza: Finally To Be Developed

I've been keeping my ear close to the ground for years in hopes to hear that this area of North Hollywood would be developed back to it's originally intended site that use to bring shoppers from all around to this area.  About 50 years ago, this use to be a thriving mall...considered to be one of the best in the country.  You wouldn't even believe this if you drove through this area today.  The run-down shops, broken windows and boarded up stores are a grave site to see.  And it's really too bad because there are some terrific neighborhoods and homes close to this area that have been effected by the sad appearance of this once-lively-mall and it has also brought some of the other downfalls that run-down areas tend to attract.  But North Hollywood, and it's people, are bursting at the seams to give this lovely town a makeover.  And so the news is finally in....Laurel Plaza (where the Macy's is located) is finally sold and plans for development of a mixed-used plaza is now underway.  And I say, cheers to that!! There have been rumors for years that a developer such as Rick Caruso (of the Grove and Americana) would take on this project, but it never took hold I guess till now...and I wish this developer all the best in their efforts to come.  The Northridge earthquake damaged these buildings and it's been a downward spiral ever since for this commercial space.  But now we can finally look forward to new shops, new jobs, and hopefully a wonderful new look.  Now keep in mind, this does not include the development of the shops across the street on Laurel from Erwin to the Victory intersections but hopefully this will be a domino effect and those will soon get a face lift as well.  To read more about this, LA Times writer, Roger Vincent posted an article in last week's paper and you can find it here "Laurel Plaza Shopping Center in North Hollywood is Sold"