Workers began returning the Hollywood sign to its old self Tuesday.
At various stages during last week's transition from Hollywood to "Save the Peak," the sign read "Sallywood," "Sollywood" and "Save The Pood." For days, L.A. watched as the icon was finally covered late last week to read "Save the Peak."
The gimmick helped raise $1 million as part of a campaign to raise money to save the view, according to L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Still, the nonprofit Trust for Public Land said they need $4 million more by April 14th to buy land around the sign and keep developers from building luxury mansions along the ridgeline.
The land in question was purchased by industrialist Howard Hughes in 1940 to build a home for movie star Ginger Rogers, his intended bride. When that relationship ended, Hughes kept the land, and in 2002, his estate sold it to the investors who now own it. Two years ago, they put it on the market for $22 million, but it hasn't sold. It is zoned for four home sites, according to SaveHollywoodLand.Org.
"This weekend was a great start to this important fundraising effort but we need more help," LaBonge said. "We hope that people around the world will become real Hollywood stars by helping 'Save the Peak.'"
The trust, which over the last 38 years has conserved 2.8 million acres of land across the nation to be used for parks, gardens and other natural spaces, wants to see the ecosystem of native chaparral and animals around the Hollywood sign maintained.
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