Do You Know the NoHo BID?
The NoHo Arts District is an arts district because of the 20+ theatres, dance studios, recording studios and the many folks who create art. It stays an arts district because of these performing and visual artists. But there is one group that has helped to #KeepNoHoArtsy (and clean and safe) for more than 10 years – the NoHo Business Improvement District.
“Having the NoHo BID in place is a tremendous resource for the NoHo Arts District community, says Aaron Aulenta, managing director of the NoHo BID. “By providing Safety, Clean, and Marketing services above and beyond what the City of LA provides, the NoHo BID helps to enhance the user experience in NoHo. This can be seen from the all-new businesses and investment continuing to come into the Arts District. Not all commercial districts have a BID, giving the NoHo Arts District and its stakeholders an advantage over the many destinations in Los Angeles.”
So what is a Business Improvement District?
A Business Improvement District or BID is a geographically defined area within the City of Los Angeles, in which services, activities and programs are paid for through a special assessment to property owners. BIDs provide enhanced programs and services, above and beyond what the City of Los Angeles provides. The NoHo BID, established in 2007, primarily provides Clean and Safe services in the form of a Safety Ambassador team and Sidewalk maintenance services in the form of a Clean Team. A smaller amount of the budget is allocated to Marketing and Communication services. The NoHo BID recently renewed for another 5-year term beginning in 2020.
We chatted with NoHo BID managing director Aaron Aulenta and safety ambassador captain Juan Arana about the BID statistics and updates.
Safety Ambassador 2020 stats:
Hotline Calls Received- 1,818
Property Patrol Checks- 5,372
Homeless Contacts- 1,166
Clean Team 2020 stats:
Trash Bags collected- 11,747
Graffiti Tags removed- 1,463
Bulky Items picked up- 1,805
Pressure Wash hours- 95
Securitas is the vendor for the Safety Ambassador team and Chrysalis Enterprises is the vendor for the Clean Team.
Thoughts on the Al Fresco outdoor dining program and its future?
When outdoor dining was allowed by L.A. County, LADOT’s Al Fresco program had a huge impact on the restaurants in the district and helped them stay afloat. Without the program, many of the arts district’s restaurants would have continued to struggle. The program was a bright spot in what was a really tough year. A huge thank you to Council District 2 for everything they did in bringing the program to North Hollywood and expanding it beyond Magnolia.
In terms of the future of the Al Fresco program, I’d love to see it continue once the county restrictions are lifted and to become a permanent fixture in the arts district and around Los Angeles. Lots of cities around Southern California and throughout the Country have utilized parklets or curb cafes pre-pandemic and it makes good sense for the City of L.A. to consider it post-pandemic.
Why does NoHo need a BID?
The short answer is because the arts district would look and feel much different than it does today. The enhanced services the BID provides with its Clean, Safe, and Marketing programs gives the arts district an advantage over other commercial areas that don’t have a BID. If you travel a block or two outside the NoHo BID area you’ll notice a difference in the level of service in regards to trash, sidewalks, graffiti and safety.
What are the benefits to property owners and the community overall?
The BID and its programs are an investment by property owners that not only make the area cleaner and safer, but also attract new investment, businesses and residents. Having a BID in place gives the area an extra level of attention and care beyond what the City of L.A. provides. The BID maintains a Clean and Safe Hotline that property owners, business owners, and the community can call to report issues and receive a quick response at .
What do BID Ambassadors do?
We asked Juan Arana, who has been A NoHo BID Ambassador for 10 years and was promoted two years ago to captain of the Ambassadors team. Many local residents and businesses know the NoHo BID Ambassadors as the NoHo yellow-shirt bike patrol. Juan tells us that the Ambassadors are there to help local businesses and residents. Each day is different but routinely Ambassadors interact with merchants, help a person in need across a busy street, give directions to a new community member, or perform property patrol checks. The NoHo BID Ambassadors act as the arts district’s eyes on the street. They work closely with LAPD’s Community Relations Department at North Hollywood Division. Please note that the Ambassadors are NOT the police. If you see a person with a gun or knife, please call the police not the NoHo BID.