The South Hollywood BID works to provide enhanced services and support for the neighborhood. (photo courtesy of the South Hollywood BID)

The Hollywood Media District Business Improvement District has renamed itself the South Hollywood BID. The BID encompasses businesses bounded by Lexington and Delongpre Avenues on the north, Vine Street on the east, Melrose and Willoughby Avenues on the south, and La Brea Avenue on the west.

“South Hollywood reflects the creative, connected community that has always made this neighborhood what it is – and gives us a new identity to carry that community forward,” the BID wrote in a social media post announcing the new name. “Welcome to South Hollywood.”

The BID hosted a community pop-up in July to soft-launch its new name and cut the ribbon on the Sycamore Avenue parklet, a new BID community space.

“Building on the work of the Media District BID, we’re excited for this new chapter for the neighborhood and the local businesses that call it home,” Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez, 13th District, said. “We’re looking forward to working together to support local businesses, keep the neighborhood welcoming and make SoHo an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Soto-Martínez represents a majority of the South Hollywood BID district.

A BID is organized and established by property and business owners to enhance the economic vitality of a downtown or neighborhood commercial area, according to the South Hollywood BID. A board of directors made up of business and property owners oversees the BID and how it spends funds. The 21-member board represents a cross-section of Hollywood stakeholders including merchants, tenants, property owners and cultural and nonprofit organizations. Dianna Eisenberg has served as the BID’s executive director for over seven years; she previously served as a creative director for several companies, including Los Angeles-based cosmetic company Auraline Beauty. Now she works full-time as the BID’s executive director and also serves on the BID’s Property Owners Association and on the board of directors for Aviva Family and Children’s Services, an L.A. based nonprofit that provides therapy and crisis intervention to at-risk children, youth and families.

The BID is financed by self-imposed taxes on commercial property owners within the geography of the BID; the tax is a surcharge on property tax liability.

BID expenditures fund supplemental services, including maintaining commercial corridors through litter and graffiti removal, increasing security presence, promoting business, providing homeless and youth services, and making capital improvements to the district.

Although it’s going by a new name, the South Hollywood BID’s goals will remain the same: “support the neighborhood, strengthen connections and keep creating more reasons to live, work, visit and discover South Hollywood,” according to a post on its social media.

Representing over 350 businesses, restaurants, studios, designers, shops and organizations, the BID aims to support, promote and connect business owners with the South Hollywood community.

“This district is shaped by the people, places and ideas that make it uniquely its own,” the BID said in a social media post explaining its new brand. “Same team, same mission – a bold new name and brand for the district.”

Services provided by the BID are meant to augment those provided by the city of L.A.

The South Hollywood BID Safety Team provides daily patrols throughout the district, plus community assistance and safety escorts as needed.

For BID Public Safety assistance, call (323) 871-4150. For information, visit mediadistrict.org.