The More Modern Downtown Committee, which grew into the Citizen Advisory Committee, formulated a 20-year community Master Plan that was passed by City Hall in 1975. That led to Operation Gateway, bringing the 740-acre CRA Redevelopment Program to North Hollywood in 1979, for the first project of its kind in the San Fernando Valley. More than $200 million of private enterprise investment and $89 million in CRA funding has been invested in our area.

The Chamber of Commerce remained active throughout. A Women's Division was formed in 1971 and continued through 1983. The Citizens Action Committee combated areas of economic degradation in our community. Urbanization was changing us. Rathbun's Department Store was sold to Naha's. There was a failed attempt to change the name of Lankershim Blvd. to Universal Blvd. The Valley Free Clinic opened, and today continues to outgrow its space as the Valley Community Clinic. In 1976, 30,000 citizens enjoyed a Bicentennial Fourth of July celebration in North Hollywood Park. By 1979, the community's population exceeded 200,000.