Los Angeles City Councilman Grieg Smith’s office has launched its Northridge Vision Web site, according to a statement released by the office. The Northridge Vision project works with community and business stakeholders to create a shared plan for developing a Northridge historic business corridor, which runs along Reseda Boulevard near California State University, Northridge. Community and business surveys are available on the site. The vision project is a year-long collaboration between Smith’s office, the Northridge Neighborhood Councils, the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the university. Mitch Englander, Smith’s chief of staff, has been closely involved in developing the project. The Northridge Vision will consider community goals, the existing Northridge Community Plan and its business-tenant mix, local and regional demographics, potential for public redevelopment and previous initiatives. It will also focus on the university as the community’s hub and will determine how to best develop the area’s “college town” personality, according to the new Web site. The effort coincides with Northridge 100, the community’s year long 100th anniversary, as well as the near completion of the Valley Performing Arts Center at the university. The Northridge Vision project is being led by the Mulholland Institute, a division of the Valley Economic Alliance, the vision Web site said. Along with the general community, other partners in the project include the American Institute of Architects, Valley Economic Development Center, San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at CSUN, Pepperdine University School of Public Policy and CSUN students and interns. More information about the Northridge Vision project is available at www.northridgevision.org. Jessica Selva
