In case you haven't heard, the Hollywood sign could be in desperate peril, and needs our help.
It's been all over the news that Fox River Financial Resources Inc., the company that owns the land under and surrounding the Hollywood sign, has been planning to sell the property for $22 million so that it could be used as the site for a prestigious, four-house subdivision.
Instead, says an April 20 article at HousingWatch.com, the investment corporation recently made a deal to practically give the land and the sign to California's Trust for Public Land for just $12.5 million (A little joke of mine....Ha. Ha. Sidebar: the sign was originally built for only $21,000....).
It's been all over the news that Fox River Financial Resources Inc., the company that owns the land under and surrounding the Hollywood sign, has been planning to sell the property for $22 million so that it could be used as the site for a prestigious, four-house subdivision.
Instead, says an April 20 article at HousingWatch.com, the investment corporation recently made a deal to practically give the land and the sign to California's Trust for Public Land for just $12.5 million (A little joke of mine....Ha. Ha. Sidebar: the sign was originally built for only $21,000....).
The trust was given until April 14 to come up with the money.
Unfortunately, when the deadline rolled around, the trust was only able to raise $11 million - not quite enough.
According to the Associated Free Press, Fox River Resources has agreed to extend the sale deadline until April 30, giving the trust 16 more days to come up with the money, but now the Trust for Public Land is turning to the public for that additional $1.5 million.
The trust has already received millions of dollars in donations from big names like Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Now, the generosity of the average Joe, who is (hopefully) unwilling to let such an American icon be destroyed, may be the Hollywood sign's only chance for survival.
This is where you come in.
Those willing to donate can do so in several ways:
Become a fan of Kimpton Hotels on Facebook
or
Instantly donate $5 by texting the word LAND to 50555
There are only six days and about 27 minutes left, so there's really no time to waste; why don't you go give a little something right now, then come back and read the rest of this blog? It's not going anywhere.
Ok.
So, with the possible destruction of this iconic landmark on the horizon, it is a good time to ask yourself, "How much do I even know about the Hollywood sign?"
For instance, did you know that the Hollywood sign was originally built in 1923 as a billboard to promote a housing development of the same name? Or that it was first built to read "HOLLYWOODLAND", and stayed that way all the way up until 1949?
Did you know that the Hollywood sign (even though it is highly-dangerous, difficult and illegal...) has been altered multiple times, being made to read things like "HOLYWOOD" (in 1987, honoring Pope John Paul II's arrival) and "HOLLYWEED" (in 1976, noting a new state marijuana law)?
A few times now, the sign has fallen into disrepair, and had to be rescued.
Some of Hollywood's hugest stars have run to the sign's aid in the past, pledging their money, service and time.
According to Hollywoodsign.org, in 1977, Hugh Hefner even hosted a big fundraising party at the Playboy mansion, where the Hollywood sign's individual letters were "auctioned" off at $27,000 a piece.
Alice Cooper "bought" an "O" in honor of Groucho Marx.
Today, the sign is 86 years old, and other than the fact that its future could soon be ruined with an obnoxious subdivision(...or, says Housingwatch.com, maybe a hotel), it is doing well.
For this to remain the truth, and for future generations to be able to know and love this internationally-revered landmark, the Hollywood sign needs our help.
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