LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles City Council today approved funding to repair the historic Beachwood Stairs in the Hollywood Hills, which is temporarily closed to the public.
``The Beachwood Stairs are a beloved and irreplaceable Los Angeles treasure that deserve to be enjoyed by the public,'' said Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who represents the area and introduced the motion to fund the repairs.
``I'm grateful to the Beachwood community for their advocacy and partnership in carrying out this important investment.''
The staircase is inside the Hollywoodland area and connects North Beachwood Drive to Hollyridge Drive. It is part of an urban hiking loop that utilizes a series of staircases in the area.
The staircase is also part of a group declared a Historic-Cultural Monument in 1991 as part of the designation ``Hollywoodland's Granite Retaining Wall and Interconnecting Granite Stairs.''
On Jan. 12, the Los Angeles City Council voted to install a gate to temporarily close the historic Beachwood Stairs in the Hollywood Hills until repairs are made.
According to Raman, the stairs require more than $100,000 worth of repairs and funds haven't been identified for the project.
The motion approved by the City Council transfer $107,412 from her office's portion of the ``Neighborhood Service Enhancements'' fund to repair the stairs.
``Hollywoodland is an incredibly special part of L.A., visually and historically. As we approach its 100th birthday, some of the neighborhood's extensive and historic granite stonework is in need of care,'' said Christine O'Brien, a 41-year Hollywoodland resident and current president of the Hollywoodland Homeowners Association, in a statement provided by Raman's office last week. ``We are thrilled that Councilmember Raman recognizes the significance of these stairs and has found the funding to restore them to their original historic condition so they will be safe for all.''