I’m so pleased to report that the Westwood Business Improvement District has successfully renewed for 10 years, until the year 2027.
This tremendous accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without your support. Together, we’ve secured the programs and services we depend on to maintain a healthy and vibrant community.
Our 10-year term brings significant benefits. We can now stop allocating valuable resources towards premature renewal efforts, and we can strategically plan for the long-term viability of our great district. Most importantly, our renewal demonstrates a commitment from our business and property owners that will resonate in Westwood, The City of Los Angeles, and the region as interest in Westwood continues to grow.
Thank you for your continued support! We couldn’t have achieved this goal without you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Thomas, Executive Director
Urban Designing Westwood We want your input!
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Department of Urban Planning, Design & Development, is conducting a class called Urban Designing Westwood. The goal of the class is to develop recommendations for the nurturing and the evolution of Westwood Village, using stakeholder input, along with the Westwood Specific Plan, as a starting point.
Please attend our next two public meetings on Thursday, May 12th and on Thursday, June 2nd from 3:30pm - 5:00pm.
The meetings will be held at 10880 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 105
(lobby-level conference room in the Oppenheimer Tower).
Westwood Village's Cinema Under The Stars is back this summer with three classic family friendly movies.
Moviegoers are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the screenings in this unique outdoor setting. Each movie screening is open to the public, and moviegoers are encouraged to show up ahead of time to stake out a prime spot for the show. Tickets are not required to attend.
The Lego Movie
Monday, June 27th at 8:00pm
WALL-E
Monday, July 18th at 8:00pm
Frozen
Monday, August 1st at 8:00pm
Location
1031 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Doors open at 7:00pm, show starts at 8:00pm!
There are a limited amount of opportunities to vend, sample or flyer at the event. If your business would like to learn more about this opportunity, please email Megan Furey megan@thewestwoodvillage.com.
Upcoming Red Carpet Movie Premieres
Our office has received notifications of two upcoming movie premieres in Westwood Village:
“The Angry Birds Movie†Saturday, May 7th at 2:30pm
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Erica Jean Pacheco or Marguerite Pellegrin of 4Wall Lighting Entertainment / Entertainment Lighting Services at 818-769-9800.
Merchant Spotlight
Shanes Jewelry
Shanes Jewelry is preparing to close for retirement after 4 decades of serving the Westwood community. Stan and Wendy Shane have been a fixture in the Westwood community since the 1970's. Recognized for their outstanding prices and quality of fine jewelry, located in the heart of Westwood Village.
Take a minute to watch: A Look Back at Shanes Jewelry to relive all of the memories, hairstyles and fashion of this Westwood institution over the decades.
We wish Wendy and Stan all the best in retirement, they will truly be missed!
Sunday, May 15th - Saturday, May 21st
The Student Alumni Association (SAA) at UCLA, is a volunteer organization that aims to enhance the student experience and strengthen bonds with alumni by executing some of the largest events on campus, including Spring Sing, the Beat ‘SC Bonfire & Rally, and I Heart UCLA Week.
What is I Heart UCLA Week?
I Heart UCLA week is a six day event (Sunday, May 15th - Saturday, May 21st) incorporating various student organizations, staff and alumni celebrating campus spirit and diversity. Events include film screenings, social media challenges, recreational games, and numerous philanthropies!
How can your business participate?
Offer deals and discounts that will encourage students to enjoy and appreciate Westwood as part of their I Heart UCLA Week experience. Any sort of deal (15% off, BOGO, etc.), and these would last the entirety of the I Heart UCLA Week.
Feel free to specify any constraints or limitations when responding, and we will be sure to clarify that during marketing!
Westwood Blvd between Le Conte & Wilshire has been named a Great Street! Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the creation of the LA Great Streets Program focusing on specific improvements to define corridors throughout Los Angeles.
Phase 2 of the Great Streets improvements has been completed on Westwood Blvd. Sidewalks have been reconstructed and tree wells have been expanded. The WVIA planted larger Chinese Flame trees on Westwood Blvd to replace the Ficus trees that were removed.
Operation Update
WVIA Ambassadors devote one day every week to special projects. These projects go "above and beyond" our daily maintenance and cleaning duties.
Here are a couple of the special projects that our Ambassadors tackled during the month of March 2016.
BEFORE
Red curb along Westwood Blvd
AFTER
Red curb along Westwood Blvd
Relocated TerraCycle Cigarette Recycling Receptacle moved further away from local businesses
Students from the UCLA Grand Challenges-Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, redesigned 2 TerraCycle cigarette butt recycling receptacles in Westwood Village to look like basketball hoops. The hope is that the new design will catch people’s attention and encourage them to recycle cigarette butts.
*By depositing used cigarette butts in Westwood Village receptacles, locals and visitors are supporting the fight against cigarette waste nationwide. For every pound of cigarette waste collected through the entire Cigarette Waste Brigade, $1 is donated towards the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program.
Ever wonder what 2,800 lbs. of trash looks like? This is what we remove from our 82 WBID-owned trash cans every day!
Measuring Success
WVIA Ambassadors keep track of their daily activities, and we have compiled a list of statistics from those daily reports.
Here's what our Ambassadors accomplished during the month of March 2016:
296,635 sq. ft. of sidewalk pressure washed
307 shopping carts returned
2,025 garbage cans emptied
39 graffiti removed
587 business contacts
34 responses to requests for assistance from local businesses
118 hospitality assists to District visitors and shoppers
29 panhandling interventions
For assistance with just about anything, the Westwood Village Ambassadors are only a phone call (213) 294-0899, or email away ambassadors@thewestwoodvillage.com.
