LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa will put the finishing touches on the Hollywood sign's new paint job next week to celebrate the completion of a renovation project on the 82-year-old landmark.

    Two San Diego, California firms offered workers and materials to renovate the 14-meter-high, 11-meter-wide letters strung along the face of Mount Lee on the northern outskirts of Los Angeles.

    One of the companies began removing dirt, rust and bubbling from the sign last month before putting on a rust-inhibiting primer, and the other followed up with about 300 gallons of fire-resistant white paint.

    The Hollywood sign was last painted in 1995.

    "The Hollywood sign is synonymous with show business. It's beena beacon to all who follow their hopes and dreams in this city of opportunity," Villaraigosa said.

    During the ceremony scheduled for Monday, Villaraigosa is expected to discuss the importance of retaining the film industry,which generates nearly 35 billion dollars for California's economy,with Los Angeles receiving about 80 percent.

    The Hollywood sign was first built in 1923 as an advertisement for a housing development called Hollywoodland.

    As the movie industry grew up around it, the sign eventually became an icon known worldwide, and the city declared it a cultural and historical monument in 1973.

    The Hollywood Sign Trust was formed in 1978 to maintain and repair the landmark and to raise the funds needed for the projects. The original sign was replaced that year with new, sturdier letters. Enditem