THE ROVING EYE
Expanding Universe
A big New Year’s Eve block party on Hollywood Boulevard could get bigger, as organizers look to extend the bash from three blocks to six
The second annual Center of the Universe on Hollywood Boulevard, which costs $80 for admission and includes three stages of DJs, electronic dance music, fireworks and a ferris wheel, expects to draw 15,000 people this year. Last year’s party, for which the thoroughfare was closed from Vine Street to Cahuenga Boulevard, drew 13,000 and raised $300,000 for local charities like Hollywood Youth Council and Project Angel Food
This year, members of the Hollywood Youth Charity board, which put on the party, plan to extend the western boundary to Whitley Avenue
“We expanded it because we wanted to have more elbow room and more restaurants wanted to be involved,” said Hollywood Youth Charity Vice President Ferris Wehbe
But some business owners in the area, already wary of the street closure’s effects on business last year, aren’t feeling too festive about the proposed extension, which has yet to be approved by area Councilman Eric Garcetti
“In June, they indicated that they had no plans to expand this event,” said Kerry Morrison, the district’s executive director.
“Of course it’s going to affect all of our businesses here,” said Catalina Popescu, owner of Catalina Bar and Grill on Cahuenga. Popescu cited safety, noise and parking issues associated with the party as potential deterrents to her business.
Danny King
