3 Contractors OKd for Business Districts

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved three contractors who have been selected to oversee business improvement districts in Chatsworth, Northridge and Granada Hills--moving proposed economic revitalization plans a step closer to realization.

In July, the council set aside $225,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds for consultants who would assist in the planning and development of BIDs in the three communities. The contractors were selected by the Northeast Valley Improvement Coalition, composed of members of the Chatsworth, Northridge and Granada Hills chambers of commerce.

“We’re happy. This gives us the money to do a study to determine if the BID is feasible,” said Dick Pearson, past president of the Chatsworth chamber. “We’re hoping we can use the BID to revitalize our downtown business district.”

The contractors will consult with business and property owners to determine where the BID zones will be located and what type of improvements can be made, Pearson said.

Aides for Councilman Hal Bernson, whose 12th District contains the three communities, said the areas chosen for the BIDs were hit hard by the Northridge quake.

“We perceive that the BIDs will enhance the commercial centers of our community,” Bernson aide Greg Smith said.

Business improvement districts--in which business or property owners assess themselves fees to pay for improvements to a commercial area--are viewed by many as an impetus to economic revival.

A BID board of directors, usually composed of property owners, approves expenditures for landscaping, lighting, painting, security, marketing campaigns and other improvements designed to make their area more appealing.

The contractors selected to administer the BIDs in Chatsworth, Northridge and Granada Hills, respectively, are the Marco Group, University Corp. of Cal State Northridge and Citygate Associates.