Merchants Discuss Revitalization Plan

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer has met with about 50 property owners and merchants from along Fairfax and Melrose avenues to discuss the possibility of creating a business improvement district to revitalize the area.

In a business improvement district, property owners or merchants collectively contribute to a fund that pays for such things as street cleaning, landscaping, marketing campaigns and holiday decorations. Merchants and owners along Fairfax and Melrose avenues--there are several hundred of them--would like improved security, parking and cleaning of the streets in the area, according to Jane Blumenfeld, Feuer’s chief of staff.

Some of the business people who attended Tuesday’s meeting asked how quickly a business improvement district could be created and expressed concern about the extent of control and autonomy they would have if the district is created. The business owners said they would expect tangible results if they contributed to an improvement fund.

The people who attended the meeting agreed to gather letters from merchants and owners who support the business improvement district and send them to Feuer’s office in the next couple of weeks.