April 23, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Olympic-Style Goals for Westwood Village

With the 2028 Olympic Games now officially slated for Los Angeles, the Westwood Village Improvement Association had much to talk about at its annual meeting on Oct. 26 at the Luskin Conference Center at UCLA.

Addressing around 100 attendees, Executive Director Andrew Thomas said, “Our friends at UCLA will be hosting the Olympic village which is really going to focus the attention of the world on our community.”

He noted that Westwood has 10 years to prepare for Metro’s purple line extension and “we’re working to encourage to Metro to build us the best possible subway portals that will add to [Westwood’s] character, that are clean and that are safe.”

He also spoke of how Westwood is trending upwards, noting that in 2012 – the year the Westwood Business Improvement District (BID) was established – generated $1.63 million in sales tax revenue. In 2015 it generated just under $1.9 million, but in 2016 that number jumped to $2.3 million in sales tax revenue.

Fifth District Councilmember Paul Koretz told attendees that ever since he came into office just over eight years ago, “One of my top priorities was making Westwood Village thrive. We are now attracting people from far and wide, and in a relatively short period of time we’ve had thousands of pounds of trash removed, sidewalks pressure washed, and hundreds of trees trimmed every year.”

The Association is working hard on a variety of issues to upgrade Westwood including its recent Bruin Bike share program, sidewalk reconstruction, new branding and an annual block party.

However, one of the things Koretz said he hoped to move up was the process to start looking at the BID’s specific plan, which he agreed needed updating.

Thomas said that one of the biggest issues facing the village is the Westwood Association’s food use assessment, which designates that foods not defined as restaurants are considered fast food. “This puts us at a disadvantage,” Thomas said, because places such as 800 Degrees and Tender Greens are designated fast food places which means Westwood is already over its designated cap for fast food establishments, making it virtually impossible for new eateries to enter the village.

Attendees at the WVIA event.

“Anyone who has spent time in our district knows we have not yet met our potential,” Thomas said. “With the Olympics and the purple line coming up in 10 short years, we need to accelerate our revitalization if we’re going to be putting our best foot forward.”

 

 

Related Posts

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/1DP3ZKbfDt pic.twitter.com/OVvHuTjETC — CCNewsLA (@CCWNNews) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

Unlock the Secrets of Impressionism and Ancient Thrace with Getty’s Free Talks

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The Getty’s Lineup of Free Online Art Talks Opens Doors for Global Audiences. The Getty Center will host a series...

Registration is Open for Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Summer programs at Harvard-Westlake are open for registration.  Participants can experience renowned programs in academics, visual arts,...

Los Angeles City Attorney Sues Over Illegal Rentals, Wildfire Price Gouging

April 20, 2025

April 20, 2025

City Attorney Seeks Permanent Ban and Millions in Penalties for Operators City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto has filed a civil...