A
Chamber delegation met with this week with
Gloria Jeff, the head of the Department of
Transportation, to discuss the status of the
planned Vine Street Parking Garage, which is two
years behind schedule. The 450-space garage was
supposed to have been completed concurrent with
the opening of the adjacent Encore Hall. That
project is expected to open this month, while
the garage has yet to break ground in the lot
adjoining the Ricardo Montalban Theatre. Chamber
representatives noted that there may soon be a
parking crisis in the area as other lots close
for new construction. Jeff explained that what
had started as a roughly $10-million project had
grown to more than $20-million, and that the
agency was struggling with filling the gap. She
asked for 30 days to explore avenues to finish
the financing of the project and will report
back to the Chamber. On hand for the meeting
were Jeff Briggs, Dave Gajda, and Leron Gubler
from the Chamber, Kerry Morrison from the
Hollywood Entertainment District, Kip Rudd and
John Perfitt from the CRA, Alison Becker from
Councilman Garcetti’s office, and Mary Cynar
from the Mayor’s office.
Photo: Harris Shepard of Harris Shepard Public
Relations, Lori Justice-Shocket of OPI and
Elizabeth McDonald of the Chamber look at point
of purchase materials.
Another meeting
was coordinated this week with OPI
representatives to discuss the cosmetic firm’s
planned Holidays in Hollywood planned this fall
to promote their nail care products. The firm,
whose advertising campaigns receive national
recognition, will prominently feature the
community of Hollywood. The Chamber Tourism
Committee is working with them to promote
Hollywood to fashion editors as part of the
campaign. The meeting was an opportunity to
have a first look at point-of-purchase items and
advertising mock-ups.
Chamber
Testifies for Important Hollywood Development
Projects
Chamber Vice
President of Public Policy Rochelle Silsbee
spent eight hours at the City Planning
Commission meeting on Thursday to show the
Chamber’s support for the proposed
Paseo Plaza and Camden Development projects in
Hollywood. Paseo Plaza, a mixed-use project
planned on the block occupied by Sears, received
intense scrutiny by the Commission. Numerous
issues were raised related to affordable
housing, landscaping,
and avoiding potential blight on balconies. The
developers will be required to go back to the
Planning
Commission for a follow-up hearing. The Camden
project at the southeast corner of Vine Street
and Selma Avenue, will include a Whole Foods
Market and 300 apartment units. The Commission
was impressed with the proposal and approved
it. This project will now move forward to the
next step, a hearing before a City council
committee.
Chamber Presents
Seminar to Explain How Businesses Can Save $$$
The
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is presenting a
special seminar for its members to learn how
they can take advantage of the new Los Angeles
Enterprise Zone, which went into effect this
past December. The new state program offers
Hollywood businesses a chance to save literally
thousands of dollars, including employee hiring
tax credits, sales and use tax credits for the
purchase of equipment, an accelerated
depreciation deduction, a net interest
deduction, net operating loss carryover,
reductions in DWP electrical rates, etc.
The
seminar will be held at Paramount Pictures on
Friday, March 23, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. There
is a $15 admission charge, which includes a
continental breakfast. “This could be the best
$15 your business has ever spent,” said Chamber
President & CEO Leron Gubler. Helping to sponsor
the event are Paramount Pictures and KBKG
Inc. Reservations can be made by going to the
chamber website,
www.hollywoodchamber.net, or emailing
steven@hollywoodchamber.net. Reservations
are mandatory.
Belmont
Village, a leader in development and operation
of distinctive assisted living communities
around the nation, will host the Thursday, March
22nd Chamber Business After Hours
Mixer. Belmont Village of Hollywood recently
celebrated its fifth anniversary. The Mixer will
be held on the venue’s (heated) garden patio
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend is
$10 for members and $20 for non-members which
includes beverages and appetizers. Belmont
Village of Hollywood is located at 2051 N.
Highland Avenue, and complementary parking is
available by entering into the parking structure
on Highland Avenue. Additional parking is
generously being provided by the American Legion
Post 43 (next door) for just $2 per car. Please
RSVP to
Vivian@hollywoodchamber.net.
Hollywood & Highland Center
Shuttle Service for WICKED
“Mayor of
Sunset Strip” Honored on Walk of Fame
Rodney
Bingenheimer, known as the “Mayor of Sunset
Strip”, received the 2,330th star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week in front on
an enthusiastic crowd of fans. One of the
best-known disc jockeys in the world, he is also
referred as the “Prince of Pop.” His show on
KROQ-FM has been a hit with youth of all ages
since its inception in 1976. He is credited
with discovering David Bowie, Jim Morrison and
the Ramones. He has been an integral part of
the local cultural scene since he first arrived
in Hollywood in the 1960s.
March on Stage at Hard
Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, CA Hosts “March on Stage”
Featuring Gretchen Bonaduce and The Muddflaps, Danny
Bonaduce, Nadine Rajabi, Tara Connor and Miss USA
contestants on Monday, March 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at
Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood at 1000 Universal Studios
Blvd., Universal City, CA. For reservations call
818-622-7625. $10 per person. Proceeds donated to
Music Rising. All ages welcome
A
Chamber delegation met with this week with
Gloria Jeff, the head of the Department of
Transportation, to discuss the status of the
planned Vine Street Parking Garage, which is two
years behind schedule. The 450-space garage was
supposed to have been completed concurrent with
the opening of the adjacent Encore Hall. That
project is expected to open this month, while
the garage has yet to break ground in the lot
adjoining the Ricardo Montalban Theatre. Chamber
representatives noted that there may soon be a
parking crisis in the area as other lots close
for new construction. Jeff explained that what
had started as a roughly $10-million project had
grown to more than $20-million, and that the
agency was struggling with filling the gap. She
asked for 30 days to explore avenues to finish
the financing of the project and will report
back to the Chamber. On hand for the meeting
were Jeff Briggs, Dave Gajda, and Leron Gubler
from the Chamber, Kerry Morrison from the
Hollywood Entertainment District, Kip Rudd and
John Perfitt from the CRA, Alison Becker from
Councilman Garcetti’s office, and Mary Cynar
from the Mayor’s office.
The
seminar will be held at Paramount Pictures on
Friday, March 23, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. There
is a $15 admission charge, which includes a
continental breakfast. “This could be the best
$15 your business has ever spent,” said Chamber
President & CEO Leron Gubler. Helping to sponsor
the event are Paramount Pictures and KBKG
Inc. Reservations can be made by going to the
chamber website,
Belmont
Village, a leader in development and operation
of distinctive assisted living communities
around the nation, will host the Thursday, March
22nd Chamber Business After Hours
Mixer. Belmont Village of Hollywood recently
celebrated its fifth anniversary. The Mixer will
be held on the venue’s (heated) garden patio
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend is
$10 for members and $20 for non-members which
includes beverages and appetizers. Belmont
Village of Hollywood is located at 2051 N.
Highland Avenue, and complementary parking is
available by entering into the parking structure
on Highland Avenue. Additional parking is
generously being provided by the American Legion
Post 43 (next door) for just $2 per car. Please
RSVP to
