Photos by FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove — A large than life statue of the founder of our “Media City,” Dr. David Burbank, was unveiled Tuesday, January 12, as the center piece of a new park-like enclave at 1075 West Burbank Blvd, or at the Five Points as it’s known.
A lot going on this week on Burbank Boulevard in Burbank. Once a street with a shabby or rundown look and reputation, this boulevard is starting to shine. Earlier on Tuesday, at Five Points, that busy intersection of Burbank and Victory Boulevards, unveiling of the statue of Dr. David Burbank, which is anchored to a 50-foot pole that has an American flag flapping in the breeze at its tip.
By the time I arrived, the speeches and the ribbon cutting were over, but many in the crowd still lingered to spend some time viewing the statue and enjoying the inviting scene of walkways, green lawns, pretty trees, and the free food from the Coral Café located on Burbank Boulevard.
As usual here in “Media City,” there is debate and controversy about the site. There’s grumbling about the statue, whether Dr. Burbank deserves the honor and complaints that the sculpture, by Andre Favilli, does not look enough like Dr. Burbank. Well, the city is named for Dr. Burbank so a statue of him in the city doesn’t seem outrageous.
Also, city officials have explained that the sculpture is an artist’s rendition of Dr. Burbank and is not intended to be a perfect likeness. There are concerns about parking at the busy spot as well. Oh, and some have wondered why city officials opted for green lawns instead of the drought resistant landscape it keeps pushing residents to adopt. All good points. The site is not perfect, but it has a good feel to it. I would visit again.
“The Boulevard Is Open!”
Photos by FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove –Burbank Boulevard in Burbank
Some Burbank Boulevard merchants are continuing the celebration with an open house tomorrow, Saturday January 16, noon to 3 p.m. The city is providing buses. The main pick up location for visitors is at the Dr. David Burbank statue site at Burbank and Victory Boulevards. The special open house tour to various shops, stores, and businesses will include prizes, giveaways, discounts, and a “History of Burbank” scavenger hunt.
John Pedersen, owner of Pedersen’s Band & Orchestra, and treasurer of the Burbank Boulevard Merchants Association, told me in an e-mail:”This open house will be a sort of “piggy back” continuation of the statue unveiling on Tuesday, January 12th. This unveiling completes the entire Burbank Boulevard streetscape project and we are all very proud of our new street.”
The Burbank Boulevard streetscape project spruced up the street with light pole banners, new trees and other landscaping and improvements.
