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Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are proven to work by providing services that improve the overall viability of business districts, resulting in higher property values and sales.
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Stamp of Approval
June 18, 2009
The new stamped crosswalk at Highland and Willoughby was completed in mid-June, 2009.
Photo by Devin Strecker
In Mid-June, the Bureau of Street Services installed new stamped crosswalks on the intersections of Highland Avenue at Waring, Willoughby, and Lexington. This project was part of the Pedestrian Improvement Grant, which also funded the other improvements on Highland Avenue such as the Medians and Pedestrian Lighting.
The stamped crosswalks were the final element of the project to be completed.
Bus Stops No Longer "In The Dark"
April 21, 2009
This bus stop at Las Palmas and Santa Monica, in front of Eastman Kodak, is now completed.
Photo by Devin Strecker
Each location has been equipped with either two or three lights, depending on the size of the bus stops. These lights are in addition to the 53 pedestrian lights which were already installed on Highland from Fountain Ave. to Melrose Ave. as part of the Pedestrian Improvement Project. The lights were chosen to compliment each other, being of similar design and the same color.
In addition to the pedestrian lights, the bus stops had already been improved with new curved benches, trash receptacles, pots filled with native plants, and colored concrete in the design of a filmstrip.
Construction crews installed the pedestrian lights at Santa Monica and Wilcox, in front of the Dragonfly, on April 14.
Photo by Devin Strecker
Funding for the project came from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority and the City of Los Angeles, Prop C, as well as matching funds from the Hollywood Media District BID.
The contractors for the project are Department of Public Works/Bureau of Street Services – Special Projects and Urban Forestry Divisions, and Department of Public Works/Bureau of Street Lighting.
Thanks to all the property owners, business owners, and employees for your patience during the construction.
The State of the BIDs
April 30, 2009
On Tuesday, April 21, representatives from Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) all over Los Angeles were present at the LA City Council meeting, where Councilmember Greig Smith, CD 12, introduced a motion to invite the BID Consortium to present a report and video on the state and importance of BIDs.
Many LA BIDs worked together and donated funds to complete this presentation, which took a year to compile.
Members of the LA BID Consortium gathered at City Hall to show the significant benefit that Business Improvement Districts provide to the city.
Photo by Katie Zandona, HPOA
"I think today’s presentation hit the mark with our City Council and was excellently timed in that it came the day after the Mayor rolled our his proposed budget," Laurie Hughes, Chair of the LA BID Consortium and Executive Director of the Gateway to LA BID, said.
In conjunction with the presentation, Hughes, along with Lorena Parker, Studio City BID; Carol Schatz, Downtown Center BID; Estela Lopez, CCEA; and Misty Iwatsu, Lincoln Heights BID, spoke about the combined efforts of all LA BIDs to help improve their districts, reduce crime, and attract/retain businesses.
Hughes stressed the importance of the partnership between the City of Los Angeles and the BIDs. The Consortium has identified four initiatives that will allow for better communication and foster a stronger partnership:
First, early notification on public and private projects similar to the system set up for Neighborhood Councils.
Second, the creation of a BID Czar to coordinate directly with BID staff.
Third, allowing the BIDs to provide monitoring and enforcement for the city in areas like illegal tree trimming, illegal vending, trash violations and newsrack and street furniture violations.
And lastly, a request that LAPD include a training module entitled, "Working with Business Improvement Districts," into its existing community policing training to strengthen the relationship between LAPD and BIDs.
"These four requests will strengthen our ability to create positive change and lead the way in developing sustainable business communities," Hughes said.
The video presentation was put together by Cerrell Associates with guidance from an ad-hoc committee that included Lopez, Alexander Stetinski, Kathy Della Donne, Schatz, and Miranda Paster.
The report and video will be available to the public in the near future.
Bureau of Street Services Represented at Business Watch
April 22, 2009
Nazario Sauceda, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Street Services (BSS), was the guest speaker at the April Business Watch. Sauceda explained that BSS is one of the bureaus that make up the Department of Public Works, and is responsible for maintaining the street, trees, access ramps, and other public spaces.
BSS has roughly 8 operational divisions. The Street Maintenance division, which is over 100 years old, fixes potholes and repairs sidewalks that are badly damaged (they only patch them with asphalt though, as sidewalks are actually the responsibility of the property owners). A person can report a damaged street or sidewalk by calling the city's 311 number. This division is also responsible for street cleaning, and LA has over 6,500 miles of streets, or 28,000 miles of lanes, which is enough to build a 10 lane freeway from LA to New York. The division has 20 pothole trucks and does repairs 24 hours a day.
The Urban Forestry Division is responsible for maintaining the 700,000 trees in the public right-of-way. There are over 10 Millions trees in LA total, including private property, which constitutes the largest urban forest in the nation. The average trimming time should be 3-5 years but due to budget constraints, the trees are currently trimmed on average every 9 years. Citizens may report dangerously overgrown trees also by calling 311, and those will be taken care of in an expedient manner.
The Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcing minor violations and misdemeanors on the public right-of-way, such as illegal dumping. 300,000 cubic yards of waste are dumped illegally each year. Sauceda stressed that it is not illegal to put your old bulky items, such as couches, mattresses, etc., in front of your property for removal as long as you call 311 to schedule a pickup. The items will be removed, in most cases, in 3 days. He said that it is illegal, however, to post signs or block dumpsters.
Sauceda advised the when a person calls 311, he or she should ask for their Service Investigation Request Number (SIR) in order to track their request. Most requests are attended to within a week.
Sauceda can be reached by calling 311.
The next Business Watch Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 12:00 Noon, at Hollywood Neighborhood City Hall, 6501 Fountain Ave.
Hollywood: Land of Milk and... Photography!
April 30, 2009
Construction is being done at 855 N. Cahuenga Avenue, the new home of Milk Studios in Hollywood.
Photo by Devin Strecker
Milk plans on opening in it's new home, 855 N. Cahuenga Blvd., in summer 2009.
Photo by Devin Strecker
The Milk Group, based in New York, has signed a 30-year lease for the 46,500 square foot creative space, which will house the second location of Milk Studios and House Production and Casting.
The search for the perfect space took nearly a year, and we at the Media District are glad to have them as our new neighbors in the heart of Hollywood's classic photo district. We are also thrilled to have Willie Maldonado, Studio Manager, serving on the Board of Directors for the Hollywood Media District.
Since its inception in 1998, Milk stands at the forefront of the worlds of photography, fashion, and art. The Milk Group companies includes Milk Studios, Milk Gallery, Formula Studios, Milk Equipment Rental, Milk Digital and House Production & Casting. Milk Studios in New York spreads over 80,000 square feet, currently featuring nine stories, including the Loft and Penthouse (a northern daylight cyc studio featuring a 30 foot starfire crystal glass skylight and a 3,000 square foot outdoor deck). The much-anticipated launch of Milk Studios and House Production & Casting in Hollywood will be one of the Milk Group's largest developments and a boon to the ever-growing photography and fashion community in Los Angeles.
Gang Activity in Hollywood: How to Spot it, What to Do About it
April 30, 2009
At the March Business Watch Meeting, the special guest speaker was Detective Supervisor Lance Jurado with the Hollywood Gang Unit.
Det. Jurado spoke about gang activity in Hollywood, what to look for, and how to report it.
The LAPD Mounted Unit, out of the Metropolitan Division, is one of the many resources being utilized in Hollywood to combat crime.
Photo by Devin Strecker
He explained that the two main gangs that are known to be in the area are Wilcox Family (tagging "WF") which is not really a gang but are involved in small activity, possibly street robberies and disputes; LMC is also basically a tagging crew but the department does monitor them. LAPD uses undercover units to infiltrate gangs, and currently has an injunction against the MS gangs, which there is also a federal injunction against. He also warned that gangs often attempt to recruit school children from local junior highs and high schools.
Tagging is graffiti where letters are grouped together; graffiti with the number "13" at the end of it is usual a sign of a legitimate gang moving in, and any other letters with numbers at the end signals gang activity.
Det. Jurado advised stakeholders to alert their Senior Lead Officer when tagging or graffiti is present, or to contact Jurado directly via e-mail, at 27508@lapd.lacity.org.
Jurado also warned stakeholders that many gang members have moved on to identity theft and other similar crimes, so it is important to protect your personal information; you should not give out your Social Security or Phone Numbers.
The next Business Watch meeting is scheduled for May 14. For more information, contact Devin at 323-460-6322.
Neighborhood Cleanup
April 21, 2009
Rena Oso, HBT Supervisor, works with a Clean Team member to remove graffiti from a light pole at Wilcox and Santa Monica.
Photo by Devin Strecker
Volunteers are needed as this is a community event. The group will be cleaning and doing some light gardening around the area to help our Hollywood Police Division to be ready for their
Lydia Milars, Beautification Chair of CHNC, said "there will be food, fun, t-shirts and tote bags" for everyone who participates.
For more information, contact Lydia via e-mail, lmilars@sbcglobal.net.
The Media District supports CHNC's commitment to cleaning up the neighborhood and, although we can not provide services outside of our District, often work with CHNC and HBT to coordinate our efforts.
Wedding Bells for Capt. Irigoyen
April 21, 2009
Valerie (Jacobo) and John Irigoyen, HMD Security Captain, were married on March 14, 2009.
The service and reception were held in City of Industry, CA, and was attended by many of the Media District security officers, as well as Susan Levi, Executive Director, and Devin Tait Strecker, Operations Coordinator.
Congratulations, John and Valerie!
Grub Now Open for Dinner!
May 04, 2009
Grub restaurant is now open for Dinner! Located at 911 Seward Street in the Heart of the Media District, Grub is co-owned by Betty Fraser and Denise DeCarlo.
Photo by Devin Strecker
Grub's new hours, which began last month, are:
Monday - Thursday 11 am - 9 pm
Friday 11 am - 10 pm
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm and 5 pm - 10 pm
Sunday 9 am - 3 pm and 5 pm - 9 pm
Here is a sampling of some of their new dinner dishes: Potato Chip Buttermilk Chicken, Garlic Red Wine Skirt Steak, California Crab Cakes; the new Mac-A-Licious Menu with our Traditional, Pepperjack-Bacon Mac, Truffle Mac with Swiss and our Blue Cheese Basil Mac.
For desert, try Raspberry Peach Thyme Shortcakes and Gourmet Rice Krispy Treats!
Don't forget their new Beer and Wine List features all California products, including the new Lemon Basil Champagne Cocktail.
Also, there are specials for May and June, after 5 pm for Dinner. Monday Night, Mac and Cheese (any one of Grub's fabulous Mac and Cheese's for $10); $10 Tuesday nights - five of their top sellers available for only 10 bucks each; Friday and Saturday Nights - Caribbean Roasted Alaskan King Crab Legs.
Grub is located at 911 Seward Street, in the heart of the Media District.