Chamber Reviews Hanover and Clarett Projects, Recognizes Dankberg

The Economic Development Committee saw a changing of the guard this week, as Ira Dankberg was thanked for his six years of service as co-chair to the committee.  It was noted that Ira has been involved with the committee and the annual Economic Development Summit since its inception.  He plans to remain involved in the committee.  The new co-chair of the committee is George Abou-Daoud, owner of the Bowery and several other businesses in Hollywood. Pictured from left are George Abou-Daoud, Marty Shelton and Ira Dankberg

Architects explain the proposed Hanover project to the committee.

The committee also was presented with updates this week on the proposed Hanover and Clarett Group projects.  Hanover Co. is proposing a 20-story, mixed-use building at the southwest corner of Hollywood and Gower, which will feature 176 market-rate apartments and 7,200-sq.ft. of ground floor retail space.  The project is currently in the entitlement process and developers are preparing a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).  Meanwhile, the Clarett Group is proposing a 200,000-sq.ft., 10-story office-space addition to the Pantage Theatre building, as envisioned in the original project when it was built in 1929.  Parking will be provided across the street in the Boulevard 6200 project, also being developed by Clarett.  Developers anticipate an 18-month entitlement process, followed by a 24-month construction period.  Both projects will return to the Economic Development Committee for further consideration once EIR’s are complete.

LaBonge Set to Report to Chamber on Thursday

“Hollywood:  Past, present, and future” will be the theme of the Hollywood Chamber’s annual luncheon with Councilmember Tom LaBonge, on Thursday, September 18, at the Avalon Hollywood, 1735 N. Vine Street, Hollywood. The Chamber expresses appreciation to presenting sponsors Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives, CRA/LA and Starline Tours. Additional supporting sponsors include Andrews International Security, Avalon, Original Farmers Market and Paramount Pictures. Online reservations will be available through Wednesday noon on the chamber website: www.hollywoodchamber.net.

There is Still Time to RSVP for Illicit Screening in Hollywood

Deadline for members in Hollywood to sign up and be guaranteed admission to Illicit: The Dark Trade is this Friday. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the Los Angeles premiere of Illicit: The Dark Trade. The movie was produced by the U.S. Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) in partnership with National Geographic. The film exposes the criminal networks behind the multibillion-dollar global trade of illicit goods and reveals how these criminal networks cost untold numbers of jobs, produce dangerous products and breed violence and corruption. The screening will be held on Wednesday, October 1^st at 4 p.m. at Sunset-Gower Studios in the Stanley Kramer Theatre.  Admission is free.  However, reservations are mandatory because of limited space. You can make a reservation by calling the Chamber (323)469-8311 or reserve online now at Chamber Events.

Village People Are Macho Men in Hollywood

Photo by Bob Freeman
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presented the 2,369^th star last Friday to the iconic pop culture music group – the Village People.  In recognition of their hit single YMCA, the star was placed only one block north of the Hollywood YMCA.  The group came in their costumes and garnered extensive media coverage.

LAUSD Decides to Create Workforce Housing at Selma Elementary

The board of the L.A. Unified School District voted last week to seek proposals to develop workforce housing and increased parking on a district-owned parking lot adjacent to Selma Avenue Elementary School in Hollywood.  The development would be located at the northwest corner of Selma Avenue and Cherokee.  In particular, it is hoped that workforce housing at that site could be directed to teachers, many of whom leave the district within five years of hire because they cannot find affordable housing.  The district hopes to be under construction by the end of 2009.

Retailers Magazine Salutes Hollywood, CIM Group

The September issue of Shopping Center Business paid tribute to the revitalization underway in Hollywood.  The magazine, said in part:  “Hollywood has been one of the big success stories in Los Angeles for the last few years, and most of the thanks are due to CIM Group.  The company has been helping turn downtown Hollywood from a dingy, scary strip to the Tinseltown that everyone wants to see.  The company has bought a number of buildings – closing in on 30 at last count – in Hollywood and renovated them into a number of uses.  CIM understands that Hollywood is not just about tourists; it’s about the people that live there and work there.”

Support Hollywood’s Hail-A-Taxi Program

A six-month test program is underway in central Hollywood and Downtown to see if there is enough demand by passengers to make a permanent policy allowing people to hail taxis.  Prior to the test program, taxi drivers would be fined if they stopped to pick up pedestrians.  The new policy will allow drivers to stop in a no-parking or no stopping red zone to actively load and unload passengers.  They may also stop in blue disabled zones, and are allowed to double-park if there is at least one remaining lane of traffic open.  The Chamber, which was a strong proponent of the new policy, encourages its members to help make the test a success by taking advantage of the opportunity to hail taxis.

A-LIST Mixer Set at Farmers Market for Young Professionals

The Chamber’s next A-LIST mixer will be held at the world-famous Original Farmers Market on Wednesday September 24th. The A-LIST is a networking group for young professionals (and those “young at heart”) which focuses on developing professional and social relationships through quarterly networking events. In 2009 The Original Farmers Market will celebrate its 75th anniversary as one of the city’s most beloved and entertaining institutions. The Original Farmers Market grew to be a perfect place: great shopping, an amazing array of restaurants and the city’s best grocery store, all in an authentic atmosphere which offers family fun, frequent star spotting, living history and a charming experience locals and tourists alike truly cherish. The A-LIST will be held on the Market’s Upper Dining Deck (accessed by any of the three staircases on the north end of the Market) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. After the mixer, join A-LIST committee members and co-chairs Nicole Mihalka and Renee Kische at the ‘Karaoke Hoedown’! Presented by EB’s Beer & Wine (on the West patio).  Visit www.farmersmarketla.com or call (323) 939-9211. Admission to the A-LIST is $10 for members and $20 for non-members, which includes appetizers and two beverages. The Original Farmers Market is located at the corner of Third and Fairfax. Mixer attendees will receive free parking voucher at the event. (enter from either 3rd Street or Fairfax). Please RSVP to steven@hollywoodchamber.net or call (323) 469-8311.

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KBKG reduces taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits

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Free business counseling at the Hollywood Chamber
Offered by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Richard Krelstein, a retired business turn-around specialist
Consulting services will be available most Fridays 9:30 - 11:30am 
To schedule an appointment, call Vivian at (323)469-8311.