Newsletter: The Media Messenger

Median Under Construction

While the BID is working to improve the safety and aesthetics of the area, local businesses are also striving to make the Media District a better place. Two businesses on Highland have added greatly to the area with their colorful storefronts.

Highland Grounds Restaurant and Coffee House, 742 N. Highland, has redone their storefront after expanding their kitchen to include a wood-burning stove. The new design is blue and yellow, and makes a dramatic statement. In addition to their extensive menu, Highland Grounds also offers wine and beer, plus live entertainment nightly.

L.A. Rims and Sounds is a new automotive business featuring custom wheels, rims, tires, performance parts and accessories. They have set up shop at two locations on Highland, 1154 and 1200.

Giving Help to the Homeless

"It takes time to build a relationship with people on the streets because they don't trust anyone."

Sam Colquitt, PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) spoke at last month's Business Watch Meeting, explaining the challenges the homeless outreach workers are faced with. Several other organization represented, including CHLA (Covenant House), My Friend's Place, and HHYP (Hollywood High Risk Youth Program), agreed that the most challenging aspect is that they have to earn the person's trust before they can help someone."

PATH is an organization that helps homeless adults, while the other organizations represented provide services to youth under the age of 25.

The programs offer a wide variety of options to help the homeless, including showers, shelter, counseling, and immediate detoxification.

"It's a difficult job," Colquitt said. "It's hard to reach some people." Colquitt said that the people they encounter come from many different backgrounds. Many have been abused for years, while others had a normal life until twists of fate left them homeless.

Colquitt said they try to focus on newly homeless people, to catch them before it becomes a chronic problem. "We never give up on anybody," Colquitt said.

The next Business Watch meeting will be April 10 and will feature a speaker from the Department of Transportation.

New Address on the World Wide Web

The Media District's web site just got easier to find. The site, which has been online for over a year, can now be found at www.mediadistrict.org. The old address, www.hmdbid.org will be phased out.

The new, easier-to-remember URL is part of the district's new logo program, which is currently being implemented by Suisman Design, our urban designer. The logo and website will appear on the new trash receptacles which will be installed throughout the district this month.

5 Things in 5 Months

1. Transportation - A letter to the Bureau of Street Services will be mailed this week, requesting the abatement of street cleaning in favor of HBT cleaning. The Business Watch meeting this week also features the Department of Transportation acting supervisor for our area. We hope to get an update on increasing street parking and one-way streets.

2. Highland Gateway - The 1st median construction is complete except for a removable curb but the palms and trees are installed. Once the water meter is installed and the irrigation is complete we will be able to install the rest of the landscaping.

3. Underground Utilities - . The first meeting took place with representatives from the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Santa Monica Western Residents Group, Council District 4 & 13, California Senate District 26, Department of Water and Power and the Hollywood Media District. The dialogue began to organize a time line and identify funding sources to underground utilities on Santa Monica Boulevard from the 101 Freeway to the West Hollywood boundary at Sycamore. The next meeting will be on May 1, 2003 at noon.

4. Prostitution & Drug Dealing - Our Safe Team made two citizens arrest this month, one for indecent exposure and one for assault.

5. Media District Sign Overlay - Please see related story on this page.

Look forward to continuing updates on our 5 Things in 5 Months.

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Open House for Sign Overlay Zone

On Thursday, April 10, the LA City Planning Department will host an open house and public hearing concerning the proposed Hollywood Signage Supplemental Use District, also known as the Sign Overlay Zone. The Open House will take place at the Los Angeles Fire Museum, 1355 N. Cahuenga, at 4:30pm.

The proposed Supplemental Use District will create regulations for signage that will override the current regulations of the City. The purpose of the District is to promote Hollywood's historic image as well as allowing for new types of advertising.

Copies of the draft Hollywood Signage Supplemental Use Plan will be available at the Open House.

For more information, please contact Mary Richardson at 213-978-1205.

Langner Makes Arrests

Langer Security, the Media District's safe team, helped make two arrests in the district the last week of March.

On March 26th, Security Director Mike Zuvich asked a transient to leave the area of Santa Monica and Highland. The transient refused Zuvich's request several times. The transient swung his fist at Zuvich. During the ensuing struggle, Langner officers Madera, Guitierrez and Buettemejer handcuffed the assailant and detained him until the LAPD arrived. Zuvich filled out a citizen's arrest form for assault.

The following day, March 27th, an employee at Filmcore (1010 N. Highland) contacted the Security Office regarding alleged indecent exposure. Zuvich located the suspect near the drive-thru lane at Del Taco based on the victim's description. The victim positively identified the suspect. LAPD was contacted and arrested the suspect, who claimed to be homeless, for Indecent Exposure.

Advanced Tech Security, our armed pilot program, also made two arrests over the weekend of April 4-6.

If you have any security needs or questions, please contact Zuvich at 323-871-4150.

HMD Calendar

HMD Campus Committee Meeting
When: Wednesday, April 9
Time: 12:00 pm
Where: Ren-Mar Studios
846 N. Cahuenga Ave.

Business Watch Meeting
When: Thursday, April 10
Time: 12:00 pm
Where: Hollywood Community Room
6501 Fountain Ave. (At Wilcox)
Call 323-460-4770 to RSVP for lunch

HMD Board of Directors Meeting
When: Thursday, April 17
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: CFI (Consolidated Film Industries)
959 Seward St.

Hollywood Beautification Team Report

GRAFFITI PAINT OUT AGREEMENT

Your consent is necessary to obliterate graffiti at your site. The Hollywood Beautification Team, through the city, will assist in the acquisition of free paint for your property or paint out graffiti using your paint.

Please make sure that your business or property has a signed Agreement on file. For more information or an Agreement, please contact Devin at 323.460.4770.

Activities Report
Week ending 3/1/03
(compiled by Langner Security Service)

Questions or Comments

Feel free to contact the Hollywood Media District using the following contact information:

Hollywood Media District
1304 North Highland Avenue #200
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone:  323.460.6322
Fax:  323.460.6488

Executive Director: Mary Lou Dudas
MDudas@pacbell.net

Assistant: Devin Strecker
Devin77@pacbell.net

Hollywood Media District Field Office
6775 Santa Monica Blvd. #2A
Hollywood, CA 90038
Phone:  323.871.4150
Hours:  7am - 11pm, Mon-Sat

Security Supervisor: Michael M. Zuvich

Hollywood Media District Property Owners
Association Board of Directors

Jeff Anthony, President - Iron Mountain Film and Sound
Tim Mahoney, Vice-President - Hollywood Center Studios
Eliza Thorne, Secretary - Seward Film Vaults
Don Robertson, Treasurer - Honda of Hollywood
Fred Anawalt - Anawalt Lumber Company
Carol Cassella - RenMar Studios
Jack Fleming - ADS
Morton Lakretz - The Crossroads
Michael Malick - Ramsey Shilling Real Estate
Jacques Massachi - Ori Service Center
Albert Sweet - Al Sweet Development
Gene La Pietra - Arena Cafe
Brian Scane - The Paladin Group, Inc.
Fares Wehbe - Hollywood Little Red School

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