The momentum continues to build in Hollywood, with construction cranes on the skyline and major new stakeholders such as Netflix and Viacom moving in. It is no accident that there is so much happening here. Many years of work by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and other committed Hollywood boosters has brought back the energy for which Hollywood is known. And your Chamber of Commerce continues to fight for the things needed to continue the momentum. Advocacy is our guiding principle in order to facilitate a positive business climate for our members. Take a look at the many issues and projects that the Chamber tackled in the past year. We’re working for you every day!
The Chamber commissioned the research company Renegage Marketing to conduct a Hollywood Market Survey that captures a range of demographic, behavioral and attitudinal information on Hollywood residents and employees. The findings will be used to improve the business climate and assist in attracting new businesses and retailers to the community.
A campaign was kicked off to create the Route 66 Business Improvement District along Santa Monica Blvd. Property owners contributed $40,000 for a feasibility study and the City worked with them to hire a consultant, Civitas, to assist in the formation. Efforts continued to get signatures to form the proposed Hollywood/Western Business Improvement District.
The sixth annual State of the Entertainment Industry Conference was a huge success, focusing on the state of the stream, the California Film Tax Credits, and a presentation of the Commitment to California Award to producer Steve Levitan.
“Building a Livable Hollywood: Work + Create + Live” was the theme of the always popular Hollywood Economic Development Summit that focused on how development can make a community a better place. The keynote speaker was Professor David Sloane of the USC Urban Planning Department.
Four landscaped medians were dedicated along Vermont Avenue and the East Hollywood Business Improvement District began work with the City to add two additional medians.
The Chamber worked with other advocates for the proposed extension of the Crenshaw light rail line that would extend through West Hollywood and connect to the Hollywood and Highland subway station.
Chamber representatives attended each of a series of community briefings on the proposed Hollywood Community Plan Update.
The Chamber testified or wrote letters in support of numerous proposed development projects, including: Kilroy’s Academy Square, the Whiskey Hotel, SunWest, and 1860 Western Avenue, among others.
The Project Review Committee reviewed numerous projects in the pipeline and offered developers suggestions that would help them to secure support in Hollywood and approval by the City.
The Chamber worked with Senator Ben Allen to address some of Hollywood’s CEQA issues.