Newsletter: The Media Messenger

Median Under Construction

On Wednesday, Feb 19, ground was broken on Highland Avenue just north of Melrose for the BID's first median, part of the Highland Gateway project. Hollywood Beautification Team, the contractor for the median, began construction on the first of six proposed medians on Highland to improve the area's aesthetics and create a more pedestrian friendly environment.

When the construction began, it was discovered that fiber optic cables posed a problem. Not only is there a manhole near the edge of the median, but also cables which are near the surface. Many city officials as well as members of the BID are working to resolve the issue and continue construction as quickly as possible.

Local Spotlight: Comedy Sportz

"Comedy played as a sport, not comedy about sports," is what ComedySportz, a local theatre group, is all about. The longest running show in Los Angeles (it premiered Nov. 18, 1988), ComedySportz has teams in 18 cities across the US that compete in regional and national tournaments each year.

The National Comedy Theatre, 733 Seward, is home to the Los Angeles team. Performances take place every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

"We do team versus team improv; improv as a competitive sport," said Phil Ward, Managing Director. "It's suitable for all ages." Ward said that they now have a matinee show on Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. that is geared more towards kids.

Although performances are only on the weekends, the theater is often put to use during the week, with a high school league, college group and other organizations renting out the building.

Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 if you call ahead and make reservations. The number to call for tickets or more information is 323-856-GRYN (4796), or visit their website at www.comedysportzla.com.

Committee Chooses New Trash Receptacles

To help keep the district clean and free of clutter, the BID will be replacing the 23 trash receptacles owned by the city, as well as adding over twice as many new receptacles. The new model features a lid with an opening in the middle and a side-opening door for trash removal. Both these features will help keep the waste in the can, rather than on the street.

The receptacles also have matching seating, which may be used to replace the plastic benches currently on Santa Monica Blvd. Most stakeholders were opposed to seating in front of their businesses because of loitering.

5 Things in 5 Months

1. Transportation - We have been collecting signatures from property owners throughout the BID to abate street cleaning in favor of HBT cleaning which will free up 6 business hours of parking a week for our stakeholders. Once submitted to Bureau of Street Services and approved, Department of Transportation will remove the No Parking signs. No progress to report on one-way streets and diagonal parking.

2. Highland Gateway - Please see related story on page one.

3. Underground Utilities - No progress to report.

4. Prostitution & Drug Dealing - The first task force to enforce the new City Ordinance to impound cars if one is seen soliciting for prostitution was run the week-end of February 21st. 14 cars were impounded the first week end. Those arrest were made on Sunset Boulevard. Our Safe Team reports that we have reduced police presence in the BID boundaries.

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

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

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Trees For A Green Media District

The Campus Committee of the BID's Board of Directors is planning to plant over 300 trees in the district this summer. Utilizing DWP's "Trees for a Green LA" program, the BID will receive the trees free of charge as they provide shade and help the environment. Trees will be planted on every street in the district.

DWP will award the contract to one of their authorized contractors shortly. The campus committee will go door-to-door to get property owner signatures for permission.

As each phase is completed, a ceremony will be held dedicating the trees to victims of September 11th.

Hair Speaks Out

At February's Business Watch Meeting, Terry Hair of Clean Needles Now spoke about the controversial needle exchange program and answered questions from attendees.

Currently operating out of a vehicle, the program can be found on Santa Monica and Sycamore on Thursday evening and Sunday afternoons. They are working with another agency to obtain a permanent, indoor location. For more information, contact Clean Needles Now at 323-857-5366.

At the next Business Watch Meeting (see calendar), a speaker from PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) will be featured.

Neon Lights and Giant Dinosaurs

The LA City Planning Department held two public forums last month concerning the proposed Hollywood Sign Overlay Zone. The purpose of the sign district is to promote a distinctive Hollywood signscape, preserves some elements of historic signage, minimizes obstruction of views and reduces visual clutter.

Among the favorable signs are the blade and marquee signs (to preserve the historic Hollywood look), skyline logos (such as the giant three-dimensional dinosaur on the Ripley's Odditorium at Highland and Hollywood) and open paneled roof signs, such as on the Roosevelt Hotel, that have open spaces between the letters.

Billboards, off-site advertisements, and illuminated architectural canopy signs would not be encourage.

The Sign Overlay Zone should be going before the Planning Commission by June. For more information, call Mary Richardson at 213-978-1205.

HMD Calendar

Business Watch Meeting
When: Thursday, Mar. 13
Time: 12:00 pm
Where: Hollywood Community Room
6501 Fountain Ave. (At Wilcox)

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

HMD Board of Directors Meeting
When: Thursday, Mar. 20
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: To be announced
Please call Devin at 323-460-4770 for more information.

Hollywood Chamber Annual Awards Luncheon
When: : Wednesday, Mar. 26
Time: 11:30 am
Where: Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
1755 N. Highland Ave.
$70 for members, $80 for non-members
Please Call 323-469-8311 to RSVP

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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