Expanded Fashion District BID Passes Final Hurdle
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Models from a show by French Connection walk the runway during the recent market week at California Market Center.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The expanded Fashion District Business Improvement District (BID) passed its final legislative hurdle today, with unanimous approval from City Council. Approximately one-quarter of the district had been without services since January 1, a by-product of what had been a lengthy and difficult renewal process.
Faced with failing to get renewed, the BID late last year decided on a split approach that allowed the majority of the district to avoid expiration, with the rest slated to be worked back in once approvals could be completed. The new area brings the Fashion District BID to 95 blocks, with a $3.2 million yearly assessment.
In a press release put out today, Executive Director Kent Smith expressed his excitement at the completion of renewal and a return to normal operations. "We are thrilled to be able to hire 14 employees that had to be let go when the district downsized.”
Creating or renewing a BID is a multi-step process, but the first step is by far the hardest. Organizers must first get petition signatures from owners representing over half of the assessed property value in the district. This requires not only getting owners or their representatives to sign off, but first finding out who ownership even is and making contact with them. Once that step is complete, a ballot is sent out and over half of the responses returned must be in favor. Finally, City Council must pass an ordinance certifying the ballots and creating the BID.
Tanya York on April 02, 2009, at 03:30AM – #1
Wow! This is great news. Plus it also hired people and it is expected to earn well.
Peggi Ridgway on April 02, 2009, at 07:08AM – #2
I am sure the tenants of the Flower District on Wall Street (part of the Fashion District) are happy with this news. It means a safer, cleaner street environment for their hundreds of daily customers.
Rich Alossi on April 02, 2009, at 11:13AM – #3
It's my understanding that -- unfortunately -- the area north of 6th Street along Los Angeles Street is no longer included in the BID "safe and clean" district. So I now affectionately call this the Garbage District.
Greedy swap-meet slumlords don't want to pay extra, and now garbage piles up every day (photo below). Every couple weeks the city will come by with a tractor and bulldoze it into the street.
With no BID maintenance or safety patrols, I've made my decision not to renew my lease at the Santa Fe Lofts once it comes up again. Cleanup is one thing, but safety is quite another.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alossix/3196156596/
Captain Blake Chow on April 03, 2009, at 09:58PM – #4
This is great! The BIDs have been a great asset to the downtown area. All of the downtown BIDS have had such a positive influence on the quality of life issues and public safety the downtown area should be a model of public/private partnership and what can be done when we all work together.