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Quixote Studios Celebrates Earth Day with Clean-Up
May 02, 2012
Quixote Studio’s Hollywood location Earth Day “Clean Team.”
We salute Quixote Studios for their efforts in celebration of Earth Day 2012.
BID Security Patrol Helps Police Identify Car Break-in Suspect
April 19, 2012
For many months the Media District had been plagued with frequent car break-ins and numerous items stolen. But now, the LAPD has the suspect of these smash-and-grab crimes in custody. His name is Sean Ray and he lived nearby on south Virgil St., and he had a criminal record for theft and burglary.
LAPD Hollywood Division press conference on April 18th displaying hundreds of stolen items.
Ray’s arrest was made possible thanks to the work of the BID’s Security Patrols, by identifying him and his vehicle from video surveillance cameras in the area. Also, the suspect's auto license plate number was identified and the PD was able to match it to Ray.
On April 17th the LAPD arrested Ray at his apartment on south Virgil St., and from his apartment many of the stolen items were recovered. These items included laptops, iPads, mobile phones and hand-held devices, cameras and photo equipment, jewelry and watches, and $24,000 in cash. Reportedly, many of these items were inside backpacks and bags left out and exposed in the victims’ vehicles. Also, according to the LAPD a number of the items recovered came from other car break-ins that had been reported in the North Hollywood and Burbank studio areas.
Media District Business Watch Meetings
with LAPD and BID Security
May 15, 2012
In cooperation with the LAPD Hollywood Station, The Media District holds bimonthly BID Business Watch meetings. These meetings are held at Hollywood Neighborhood City Hall, 6501 Fountain Ave. (corner of Wilcox and Fountain). They are free and open to the public, and a light lunch is provided. For each meeting a guest speaker is featured, providing information on topics that will be useful to business owners. Security issues are discussed and there is always an opportunity to speak with the Hollywood Senior Lead Officer (SLO) and the BID’s Security Patrol staff.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 12th, from 12 noon until 1pm. Please come and join us.
Illegal Street Encampments Cleared and Cleaned
April 10, 2012
LAPD Officer assists in Seward St. clean-up.
BID Security Patrol at Lillian Way encampment.
Also earlier this year, the Media District’s private security patrol staff joined forces with LAPD Hollywood Division to clear another street encampment along the 800 block of Lillian Way. Located between Red Studios and the CVS parking lot, a homeless man had set up camp on the sidewalk. The homeless man, as described by LAPD, was not mentally stable and illegal drug paraphernalia was found among his belongings. The man was taken into custody and the area was cleaned.
Due to this recent increase of homeless encampments, the Hollywood Police Division has stepped up patrols and enforcement in the area. Referred to as their “Homeless Outreach Task Force,” now on a weekly basis the LAPD are doing outreach to the street homeless population in partnership with our BID Security, PATH, HBT, County Mental Health, Veterans Administration, and My Friends Place.
The Hollywood
FRINGE FESTIVAL
April 11, 2012
Fringe Festivals exist throughout the world as havens for underground and emerging arts scenes. The festival concept originated in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947 when eight performance groups appeared uninvited on the “fringes” of the exclusive Edinburgh International Festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has since grown into the largest arts festival in the world attracting millions of patrons every summer. Fringe Festivals have since sprung up in dozens of cities across the world. Most Fringe Festivals are uncurated and open, which fosters the work of both the well-established and the obscure – everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Hollywood Fringe Festival Purpose and Mission
The purpose and mission of the Hollywood Fringe Festival is to host environments for bold and experimental works, champion underground art and artists, vitalize the arts industry in Los Angeles and promote and enrich Hollywood.
For additional information and a current list of Hollywood venues and performances go to:
HollywoodFringe.org
The Media District is a proud supporter and one of many sponsors of this annual event.
BID Services Keep Your Property
and Business Clean and Safe
February 21, 2012
Highland Ave. looking north from Melrose Ave.
Also, the Media District contracts with Universal Protection Services (UPS) to provide Security Patrols within the BID. These patrols are by foot, on bicycles, and in the Media District’s security vehicle. Patroling security officers are present throughout the District 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 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 .
A Bit About BIDs
January 06, 2011
A business improvement district (BID) is a defined area within which commercial property owners pay an additional assessment in order to fund improvements within the district's boundaries. BIDs may go by other names, such as business improvement area, business revitalization zone, community improvement district, special services area, or special improvement district. BIDs provide services, such as cleaning streets, providing security, making capital improvements, and marketing the area. The services provided by BIDs are supplemental to those already provided by the local municipality.
The first BID was the Bloor West Village BIA, which was established in Toronto in 1970. The first BID in the United States was the Downtown Development District in New Orleans in 1974. BIDs have been established around the world, including in New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Serbia, Albania, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. A study in 2007 found 739 BIDs worldwide, but current estimates are that there are over 900 BIDs in the United States alone.
Legislation is necessary to permit local governments to create BIDs. The process for creating a BID varies from one jurisdiction to another, but generally three steps are involved. First, some number of property owners in the area organize and petition the local government to create the BID. Second, the local government determines that a majority of property owners, usually done by a vote, want the BID. Third, the local government enacts legislation creating the BID. Residences and some governmental entities are usually exempt from making any contributions, and the operating budgets of BIDs range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars.
A BID may be operated by a nonprofit organization or by a quasi-governmental entity. The governance of a BID is the responsibility of a board of directors composed of some combination of property owners or their designated representatives. The management of a BID is the job of a paid administrator usually called an executive director or a management company and often other managing staff.
BIDs have also become a powerful lobby group, lobbying government for improvements such as new sidewalks, trees, park benches and other restorations. BIDs can also lobby different levels of government for a complete facelift on their area if they feel it is necessary. BIDs have been created in situations where neither the private sector nor government can adequately provide needed changes or services for the betterment of a specific area.
There are four BIDs in Hollywood: Hollywood Media District, Hollywood Entertainment District, the Hollywood & Vine Business Improvement District, and the East Hollywood Business Improvement District.
Media District Dining Guide
March 16, 2012
Ammo, 1155 N. Highland Ave.
With an upscale atmosphere and an air of sophistication, AMMO has been located on Highland Avenue since 1996. With a full bar, AMMO is a great place for lunch or dinner. www.ammocafe.com
Chinese Express, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
Inexpensive chinese food, good combo deals available.
Crown of India, 6755 Santa Monica Blvd.
Come see why people are flocking to this authentic Indian eatery! Amazing food with great lunch specials keep this place bustling.
Grub, 911 Seward St.
Serving up California Comfort Food with a side of sass and a quirky and inviting atmosphere! Now open for lunch or dinner everyday, plus weekend brunch on Sat-Sun (and also now serving wine and beer). www.grub-la.com
Hollywood Canteen, 1006 Seward St.
This place has a lot of history to it, but the food and atmosphere are what keeps customers coming in today. www.hollywoodcanteenla.com
The Hollywood Corner, 1156 Highland Ave.
This place has a little of everything, including wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, an amazing breakfast menu, beer and wine, and red velvet mini-cakes to die for! Sign up for their loyalty program and get 15% off your meal. callthecorner.com
Jack in the Box, 1243 N. Highland Ave.
Fast food with an eclectic menu - everything from salads to burgers, to egg rolls and tacos. Drive-thru open late. www.jackinthebox.com
Marino Ristorante, 6001 Melrose Ave.
This family owned business has been serving up the finest traditional Italian food for nearly thirty years. With an upscale atmosphere and a great wine list. Serving lunch and diner. marinorestaurant.net
Raffallo's Pizza, 716 N. Highland Ave.
Great pizza and sandwiches in this little Italian place tucked into a strip mall. Beer and wine available.
Shakey's Pizza, 7001 Santa Monica Blvd.
Known for their large buffet, Shakey’s is a favorite lunch time spot for many employees in the District. Mojo Potatoes are just one of the highlights here. www.shakeys.com
Subway, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
A healthy alternative to fast food, who doesn't love a Subway sandwich? www.subway.com
Susan Feniger's Street, 742 Highland Ave.
Inspired by exotic street food from around the world, this relatively new eatery is in the space formerly occupied by The Dive (and earlier, Highland Grounds). www.eatatstreet.com
Taqueria La Pinata, 6751 Santa Monica Blvd.
This taco stand, formerly Benitos and more recently Hoagie's and Wings, is now operated by the same folks that run the Crown of India Restaurant directly behind it. So expect the same quality food and service but with a latin flavor!
Tasty Thai Restaurant, 718 N. Vine St.
Great lunch specials at this hole-in-the-wall asian eatery.
Xiomara Restaurant, 6101 Melrose Ave.
A favorite of the Media District Board of Directors, this exotic restaurant features Cuban-inspired food and a full bar where you would think the mojito was born. Great lunch specials, too! www.xiomararestaurant.com
Yoshinoya, 6300 Santa Monica Blvd.
Home of the Beef Bowl, Yoshinoya is fast food with a Japanese twist. Drive through available, open late. www.yoshinoyausa.com
Did we miss you? We aimed to include every restaurant within the boundaries of our District, so please let us know if we failed to include something. Email Jim Omahen, jim@mediadistrict.org with your information.