In 1997, then-Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan stood in front of Canter’s Deli on Fairfax Avenue to present the community with $300,000 to help beautify the neighborhood.

New landscaping and other improvements are coming to the medians on Fairfax Avenue. (photo by Luke Harold)

The money, a share of $1.5 million distributed to different sections of the city under Riordan’s Los Angeles Neighborhood Improvement Initiative (LANI), was designated for the two-block, central area of Fairfax Avenue between Beverly Boulevard and Rosewood Avenue. Members of the community were allowed to decide how to spend the money, with options including adding trees, pedestrian lighting, street banners, green spaces and bus shelters.

“Neighborhoods come up with their own solutions,” Riordan said at the time.

Almost 20 years later, the practice continues: The Fairfax Business Association is in the process of revitalizing medians along Fairfax Avenue, near the border of West Hollywood, in a project made possible by a recent $3,500 grant from the Mid City West Community Council (MCWCC).

“I think it’ll be appreciated,” said Scott Epstein, board chairman of MCWCC. “The medians have seen better days. It’s a nice beautification project people will enjoy when they’re walking or driving down the street.”

The medians are located between Clinton Street and Melrose Avenue, and between Waring and Willoughby Avenues. Work started about two weeks ago, Epstein said, and will likely conclude by the end of January. One of the new features will be drought-tolerant plants to make future maintenance more convenient.

As a neighborhood council, MCWCC receives funding from the city of Los Angeles for community improvement projects, neighborhood purpose grants, events and outreach.

Representatives of the Fairfax Business Association did not immediately return requests for comment.