Sunset B.I.D.
Sunset B.I.D.
The Sunset Strip Business Improvement District is now well into its second full year of operation on the world famous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Members of the Business Improvement District include a variety of businesses in the hotel, restaurant, retail, and nightclub areas that provide financial resources to supply added security and cleaning crews to the 1.2-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood known the world over as the "Sunset Strip".
The coalition of businesses is encouraged by the success of the inaugural year, and is looking forward to making further progress. Arich Berghammer, President of the Sunset Strip Business Association Board of Directors says, "The Sunset Strip B.I.D. is an example of the business community, the City of West Hollywood,and the neighborhood residents all working together to invest in the long-term vision of Sunset Boulevard. Our first year proved very successful, and in the coming year the member businesses look forward to improving on these initial accomplishments."
Those initial accomplishments are in two main focus areas of the District's mission: public safety and street maintenance.
The Sunset Strip Business Improvement District supplies security forces to the Boulevard seven nights per week. These officers patrol the Boulevard on foot, on bicycles, and via marked patrol car. The officers work closely both with the private security forces of member businesses and with law enforcement from the West Hollywood station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in providing a cooperative force of personnel all dedicated to maintaining a safe environment for area residents and visitors to Sunset Boulevard.
According to area resident Teri Gustafson, the BID seems to be having a positive impact. "The BID has been extremely effective," she says. Among the many benefits of the security force, which accounts for approximately 78% of the District's annual budget, Gustafson notes the presence of security in her area has "reduced the noise factor 80 - 85%". Another area resident, Katherine Thuline, says of the Sunset Strip Business Association security force, "I think it's been wonderful?. I don't think our situation could possibly improve any more." Bob Knotek, Sunset Strip resident and member of the community group Save Our Strip notes, "The B.I.D. has played an instrumental role in regaining control of the Sunset Strip. In a short period of time the B.I.D. has become an integral part of the community. The B.I.D.'s results are crystal clear."
Cleaner streets is another benefit of the Business Improvement District for both merchants and residents. Five mornings a week, the Sunset Strip BID Street Maintenance crew cleans debris and litter on Sunset Boulevard and on side streets adjoining this world famous entertainment district. "It looks much better than it has in a long time," says Gustafson.
An integral part to the success of the Business Improvement District is input from the community. The Sunset Strip Business Improvement District continues to periodically communicate through letter mailing campaigns to approximately 3500 Sunset Boulevard-area residents. The Sunset Strip BID encourages residents of the area to become involved in the ongoing operations of the District by contacting the Sunset BID offices directly, attending monthly Board of Directors meetings, or attending periodic neighborhood meetings sponsored by the Sunset BID.
More detailed information about the Sunset Strip BID, its mission, goals, member businesses and events can be found by logging on to www.thesunsetstrip.com or by contacting the Sunset Strip BID offices at 310-659-7368.