WESTWOOD : Revitalization Plan Receives Initial OK

Westwood has moved a step closer to creating a business improvement district, a designation that merchants and property owners are hoping will revitalize the economically flagging area.

Under such a district, known as a BID, additional taxes are levied on local businesses. The collected fees are then put into a general fund used to pay for advertising and promoting the businesses, as well as for the upkeep and security of the district.

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday tentatively approved the district on a 14-0 vote. Final approval could come in November when the council is expected to hear from business people to weigh their support for the plan.

“The BID is an important step toward Westwood’s resurgence,” said Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, who represents Westwood. “The business community has been supporting this for several years as a tool to improve the business climate and ambience.”

A majority of the 1,200 business people in Westwood endorse the formation of the BID, said Tom Carroll, executive director of the Westwood Village Management Corp.

Westwood Village, long a premier walking and shopping locale, has been hard hit by the recession and the popularity of nearby attractions such as the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.