City OKs 2 Business Improvement Districts

Moving to polish commercial areas around two major San Fernando Valley streets, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday voted to create business improvement districts in Studio City and Canoga Park.

Creation of the districts, approved by a majority of merchants in each area, allows businesses to assess themselves to pay for improved security, landscaping, marketing and storefront refurbishments over the next five years.

The initiatives were hailed by politicians and local businesspeople.

“I’m hoping to hear about increased profit margins within a year and to be able to say that’s because you participate in the BID,” said Councilwoman Laura Chick, who walked from store to store to garner support for the Canoga Park Business Improvement District. “It’s a very good feeling. I’m proud of my community. Really proud.”

The Canoga Park BID agency is expected to generate about $244,000 annually. It is bounded by Wyandotte Street to the north, Gault Street on the south, Canoga Avenue to the east and Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the west. Also included is the section of Sherman Way that acts as the Canoga Park commercial corridor.

Chick now has two business improvement districts in her council district, with Reseda well into the approval process.

The Studio City agency was approved by about 80% of the property owners in the district, which includes a one-mile segment of Ventura Boulevard and adjacent streets between Carpenter and Rhodes avenues. The assessment is expected to raise about $287,000 per year.

The districts last for five years and may be renewed.

“We’re confident that this will work because of the overwhelming support that we have received,” said Tom Henry, spokesman for Councilman Joel Wachs and a major proponent of area development. “We’re hoping that we will be able to expand this further along the boulevard once other business owners see how well this works.”

Michael Klausman expressed his support for the Studio City BID as president of CBS Studio Center, the largest business in Studio City, as president-elect of the Studio City Chamber of Commerce and as Wachs’ appointee to the Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Review Board.

“As the largest taxable contributor in this, CBS actually has no direct benefit out of the plan but . . . we’re a responsible part of the community and any improvement to Studio City will improve our business indirectly,” he said.

Councilman Mike Feuer worked for three years to get the Studio City BID.

“This reflects a broad concern that one of the best neighborhoods in the city can get even better,” he said. “I think it’s a big boost for Studio City.”