Last quarter, the sidewalk maintenance team collected 3,485 bags of trash (80,155 lbs.), dispensed approximately 4,000 doggie bags, picked up 16 bulk items, and removed 251 graffiti tags on sidewalk pots, poles, and news racks. The crew is out every Monday and Thursday sweeping the sidewalks, picking up trash, clearing gutters and painting out graffiti from street poles, news racks, and flower planters. The team empties 59 trash cans throughout the District due to the City's reduced efforts which had led to an overflowing of the cans.

The landscape crew for the District's Wilshire streetscape continues to maintain all 15 medians and about 160 flower pots along Wilshire Blvd. The work consists of removal of trash, trimming of plants, watering of plants, repairing the sprinkler system, and replacing damaged plants.

Last quarter, the security team assisted the City in getting over 464 bulky items picked up, made 8 calls to the City for street services, assisted in getting 381 graffiti tags cleaned up, and 7 potholes were reported and fixed. The team responded to 109 calls for assists to the LAPD and others. They issued 25 illegal vendor warnings and assisted 86 homeless individuals; 486 illegal signs were removed. The team addressed the subject of 11 individuals drinking in public and 11 belligerent transients. The team captain attended 6 LAPD crime control meetings and attended the quarterly WC/K Business Watch meeting.

People requesting city services (pothole repair, pickup of bulky items, graffiti removal, etc.) can call 311 or access the free smart phone application, MyLA311. With MyLA311 people can take a picture of the problem and send it with the application for service.

The WCBIC staff has secured the DWP grant. We have submitted a grant application in partnership with KYCC to the California Environmental Protection Agency. The WCBIC is currently preparing a grant application in partnership with City Council President Herb Wesson for the National Endowment for the Arts to improve 8th Street.

The WCBIC staff has been working with the LAPD Olympic Station, The City Attorneys Office, DMH, CD10, CD13, PATH, CES, Step Up, and others to form a partnership to effectively address homelessness in our District.

The WCBIC staff successfully worked with Street Services to complete the resurfacing of Normandie from 8th to 3rd. We are working with Street Services on the resurfacing and improving the crosswalks of Wilshire Blvd.

Eat, Shop, Play Wilshire and Metro Business Interruption Fund

The first four-mile section of the Metro Purple Line Extension project between Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/La Cienega is now underway, and businesses along the project alignment have already begun to notice construction activities in their communities. Metro recognizes that it is important to ensure that businesses continue to thrive both during and after construction. To help mitigate subway construction impacts, Metro has developed two programs to support local businesses: Eat, Shop, Play Wilshire and the Metro Business Interruption Fund.

Eat, Shop, Play Wilshire - Take the Pledge & Enter to Win up to $1,000

Eat, Shop, Play (ESP) Wilshire is a program modeled after Metro's Project Area Discount program, a business mitigation effort created to help businesses located along major construction alignments. ESP Wilshire is a free advertising program for businesses located immediately along Section 1 of Purple Line Extension Project. Through the use of social and traditional media, Metro promotes participating businesses on Metro's website and in promotional materials. In June, the Purple Line Extension team began promoting Eat, Shop, Play Wilshire which included pole banners, billboards and bus stop shelter signs located in the project area. To date, the program supports 60 participating businesses.

Besides marketing local businesses, the campaign encourages customers to eat at local restaurants, shop at local retailers, and play at local destinations. The community is asked to take the pledge to Eat, Shop, Play Wilshire which helps sustain the economic growth of the local community and also makes them eligible for cash prizes. Prizes range from $250 to $1,000 and are awarded quarterly to customers who "Take the Pledge" and submit proofs of purchases of $25 or more at participating businesses. To take the pledge and for a list of businesses, goto metro.net/eatshopplay.

Metro Business Interruption Fund

The Metro Pilot Business Interruption Fund (BIF) provides financial assistance to small "mom and pop" businesses located along Section 1 of the Purple Line Extension that are directly impacted by Metro construction. Approved in 2014 by Metro's Board of Directors, the program authorizes the agency to designate $10 million annually for the administration of the BIF. The pilot program is administered by Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation. For more information about Metro's BIF, including eligibility and the application process visit pcrcorp.org

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE

The Annual Meeting of the assessees in the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District will be held on Friday, Aug 28, 2015. Coffee and donuts will be served at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will take place at the Hotel Normandie at 605 S. Normandie Ave, Los Angeles.

This is a forum for assessed owners and other members of the District to familiarize themselves with the functions of the Corporation and to express their concerns and desires.

AGENDA FOR MEETING:

1. Call to order, introductions and public comments.
2. 2015 and 2016 WCBID program overview.
3. Elect the Directors of the Corporation for a term of one (1) year or until their successors are elected.
4. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assisted listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72-hours) prior to the meeting by contacting the WCBID at (213) 487-7003.

For more info about what the Wilshire Center BID is up to please visit us at facebook.com/wilshirecenter.

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Video highlighting much of the work that the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District does on a daily basis was presented at the last Annual Membership Meeting.

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