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Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts Opens
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and N. Highland Ave.
July 11, 2017
Actor Danny Trejo has opened his newest food business venture in the Media District. Formerly called Donut Time, this new and improved grab-and-go donut shop is attracting a lot of attention. Not that there’s ever been anything subtle about this particular corner, Trejo chose this corner for that very reason and even painted it hot pink! Stop by and check it out.
Trejo is an East LA native that has been portraying tough guys in the cinema for decades, but more recently he started lending his face and name to an ever-expanding collection of restaurant concepts. After first debuting his Trejo’s Tacos along La Brea Ave. early last year, Trejo had quickly gone on to open Trejo’s Cantina on Cahuenga Blvd. right here in Hollywood. Also, Trejo has taken his Trejo’s Tacos concept out to the streets in a matte black taco truck.
Trejo brings his own crowds wherever his name pops up. The push behind the celebrity backer has been fierce, and Trejo and his team are now envisioning a companywide valuation at somewhere in the area of $100 million. Welcome to the Media District!
Hollywood Center Studios
Sold to Hudson Pacific Properties Inc.
May 17, 2017
Los Angeles real estate company Hudson Pacific Properties Inc. is rapidly becoming one of the largest independent studio operators in the country with its $200-million purchase of Hollywood Center Studios, one of Hollywood’s oldest film lots. The company has renamed the facility Sunset Las Palmas Studios and plans a major $50 million expansion on the 15-acre lot. Hudson also owns Sunset Gower Studios and Sunset Bronson Studios nearby, along with five office developments at varying stages of completion.
Making it Safer for
Driving and Walking in the BID
May 09, 2017
In cooperation with LAPD Hollywood Division and LADOT, the BID has been successful in advocating for an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Romaine St. and Sycamore Ave. This had been an intersection where there only was a 2-way stop, and there had been a number of accidents. This intersection is now a 4-way stop, making it safer for vehicles as well as for walking pedestrians.
Construction Begins
New Los Angeles LGBT Center
Corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and McCadden Pl.
August 30, 2017
Architects rendering of north east corner
of Santa Monica Blvd. and McCadden Pl.
As part of a major expansion, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has begun construction of a new landmark mixed-use development directly across the street from one of their other locations, The Village at Ed Gould Plaza located at 1125 N McCadden Pl. The Village Center will continue its operation, although the LGBT Youth Center that has been located at 1220 N. Highland Ave. will be closed and relocating to the new Center once it's completed.
The new location will be named the Anita May Rosenstein Campus and comprise three main buildings: one building with youth supportive services that includes 100 emergency and transitional housing beds for homeless youth and 35 units of permanent supportive housing for young adults and a new youth academy comprising education and employment services; a building for senior permanent housing with 100 affordable units; and a building with new administrative offices that will include ground-floor retail space.
Together with The Village at Ed Gould Plaza - this new site will form a cohesive campus along McCadden Place. We hope the project will become an urban catalyst for the neighborhood, connecting residents, clients, staff, and neighbors alike, said Chris Leong, partner at the architectural firm who designed the project. The BID Board of Directors are proud to unanimously support this project.
Funding for this new $118.5 million project includes $40 million from fundraising and $9 million from Federal funding. The contractor for the project is Swinerton Builders, the contractor who built the Staples Center.
The new Campus will take two years to build and complete, with an anticipated opening in early 2019. For more design details and information go to: leong-leong.com/anita-may-rosenstein-center/ or contact Stephen Burn, sburn@lalgbtcenter.org, 323.993.7633.
The Los Angeles LGBT Center traces its roots back to 1969 when the founders of the organization first began providing client services to the LGBT community. Today there are six locations throughout Los Angeles, employing more than 500 people and with over 3,000 volunteers. The Los Angeles LGBT Center is a non-profit organization serving the LGBT community, and it is the largestest organization of it's kind in the world.
More Traffic Calming
Medians for N. Highland Ave.
Now Under Construction
August 30, 2017
Soon, commuters on N. Highland Ave. will have something more pleasant to look at than a pair of break lights – two newly constructed median islands between Fountain Ave. and Sunset Blvd.
Media District BID Boardmember and community activist, Ferris Wehbe has spearheaded this project for the past 18 months. Funding for the project comes from a variety of sources: Council District 4, Council District 13, Lenar Construction and David Schwartzman. The total cost for the two medians is estimated at $325,000 which will be landscaped with drought resistant plants to help reduce water consumption. The two new median islands will improve the aesthetic appearance of the N. Highland Ave. corridor while enhancing the urban environment. An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the early Fall of this year!
Santa Monica Blvd.
New Building Developments in the District
August 30, 2017
Onni Group Project, 6901 Santa Monica Blvd. Architects rendering of north east corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Orange Ave.
AvalonBay Project, 6687 Santa Monica Blvd. An early rendering of north east corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Las Palmas Ave.
Onni Group Project
6901 Santa Monica Blvd.
This mixed-use development, slated for a 1.5 acre property between Mansfield Ave. and Orange Dr., would consist of a seven-story structure featuring 231 studios, one and two bedroom apartments, and 15 units for very low income households. Plans also call for 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space and 390 parking stalls on two subterranean levels.
The design from Roschen Van Cleve Architects is an Industrial Loft style concept, which takes cues from the surrounding neighborhood's legacy of industrial and entertainment industry uses. Exterior materials including board-form concrete, smooth plaster and metal cladding. The building's mass would gradually taper proceeding north from the commercial boulevard to a two-story height profile, matching the adjacent residential buildings along Orange Dr.
Construction of the project would occur over approximately 18 months, as a start date is contingent on approvals from the City of Los Angeles. The draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) will be released soon.
AvalonBay Project
6687 Santa Monica Blvd.
This new residential and retail project will bring 695 new residential units to a stretch of Santa Monica Blvd. east of Highland Ave. The project by developer AvalonBay in now under construction at 6687 Santa Monica Blvd., on the site of the former Circus Disco and Arena Nightclub. Of the 695 units, 31 will be designated as affordable housing. The project will also have 24,900 sq. ft. of retail space.
The developer hopes the project will be a catalyst for the neighborhood and will encourage other developers to continue the revitalization along Santa Monica Blvd. east of Highland Ave. AvalonBay is also currently building a 371-unit development at the Movietown Plaza site on Santa Monica Blvd. west of La Brea Ave. in West Hollywood.
LA City Council Approves
Minimum Wage Hike
November 19, 2015
On Tuesday, May 19th, the Los Angeles City Council approved moving forward to draft a minimum wage ordinance that raises the current $9/hr. minimum wage to $15/hr. for most businesses by the year 2020. This 67% increase was approved despite concerns expressed by the business community and even the consultants, who advised not going beyond the Mayor's $13.25/hr. proposal.
Beginning in 2016, the minimum wage in the City of L.A. will increase annually as follows:
July 1, 2016 - $10.50
July 1, 2017 - $12.00
July 1, 2018 - $13.25
July 1, 2019 - $14.25
July 1, 2020 - $15.00
Beginning in 2017, a modified minimum wage schedule for businesses and non-profits with 25 or fewer employees will go into effect as follows:
July 1, 2017 - $10.50
July 1, 2018 - $12.00
July 1, 2019 - $13.25
July 1, 2020 - $14.25
July 1, 2021 - $15.00
Starting in 2022, the minimum wage will increase every single year based on the previous year on the previous year's Consumer Price Index for the L.A. Metro area. Non-profit organizations with greater than 25 employees can apply for a waiver if their top executive earns less than five times the wage of the lowest-paid worker, or provide transitional jobs programs, or serve as child care providers, or are primarily funded by city, county, state or federal grants or reimbursements. Consistent with state law, the youth wage will stay as 85% of minimum wage for 160 hours for workers 14-17 years of age.
PATH in the BID
(People Assisting The Homeless)
August 30, 2017
As of 2013, a Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count determined that there are 58,423 individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles on any given night, 74% (43,410) of whom go unsheltered and literally live on the street. These people become homeless for many reasons, including job loss, domestic violence, lack of affordable housing, under-employment, health issues, substance abuse, natural disasters, and more. Each person has a unique life history and unique issues that have contributed to their situation.
Of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, 33% are living with a mental illness, many of whom are stable when receiving the support and/or medications they need. It is important to move past the stereotype that all homeless people are crazy and beyond the notion they can not be helped.
PATH has been working with our BID's Security Patrol force, as well as the Hollywood Police Division, to mediate interactions with homeless individuals and ensure that the needs of the community and the homeless individual are addressed. For additional information you can contact PATH at path@epath.org, or go to epath.org .
Abandoned Shopping Carts?
What To Do
August 30, 2017
The California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corp. (CSCRC), located in Burbank, is your source for requesting pickups and removals of abandoned shopping carts left along public streets. (Please note that not all stores' carts are serviced by CSCRC and carts containing homeless peoples' belongings can not be removed).
Call them toll free at 800.252.4613, or go online to cartretrieval.net .
BID Services Keep Your Property
and Business Clean and Safe
August 30, 2017
Highland Ave. looking north from Melrose Ave.
Also, the Media District contracts with Andrews Security Services to provide Security Patrols within the BID. These patrols are by foot, on bicycles, and in the Media District's security vehicle. If needed, they can be directly contacted by calling 323.871.4150.
If you are having any problems keeping your property or business clean and safe – trash dumped or graffiti, suspicious or nuisance individuals coming onto your property or into your business – please consider completing two very important forms that can help. These forms are: a "Trespass Authorization" form and a "Graffiti Paint Out Agreement" form.
The first form is a Trespass Authorization that gives permission to Officers of the LAPD and the Media District to come on to your property and exercise enforcement of your No Trespassing signage. (Please note, you must have No Trespassing signs posted.)
The second form is a Graffiti Paint Out Agreement that allows HBT to come on to your property and paint out tagging and graffiti. Also, upon request they will accept paint from property owners and businesses in order to match your existing colors.
To obtain these Authorization and Agreement forms, or to request any other services within the BID, please contact Jim Omahen, Operations Manager for the Media District at 323.860.0088 or email jim@mediadistrict.org .