Homeless Outreach Specialist

The WVIA has recently contracted with Block by Block to provide 40 hours per week of homeless outreach services in our district, and we are very excited to introduce John Williams, our new Outreach Specialist.

John comes to us with four years of experience as a Case Manager working with the homeless, elderly and mentally disabled, providing supportive living services and teaching independent living skills.

John is very excited to get started! His first order of business is to begin establishing relationships with our transient population and finding out what their specific needs are.

When asked why he has chosen this field of work, John responded that he has a natural desire to help others and to “give back.” That has always been a part of his lifestyle. In his position as Outreach Specialist, John is happy he has the opportunity to expand on that.

Westwood Village Everywhere App

The WVIA is excited to present our new public reporting app: Westwood Village Everywhere. This app was created specifically for those who live, work and play in Westwood Village to have an easy way to report issues and give us feedback. Westwood Village Everywhere can be used to report a wide variety of maintenance and district issues, such as spills, graffiti, tree lights out, and a trash can that needs emptying. Non- emergency safety related incidents can be reported. Feedback on district conditions and services can be sent. There is also an option for the WVIA to send out important notifications via the app. Please note: If you require immediate assistance, call the Ambassador Hotline at 213-294-0899.

The app is now available at the Apple iTunes store and the Google Android store. Go ahead, and download it now! 

Westwood Village Map & Directory

The WVIA has developed a new, highly detailed yet user-friendly walking map of Westwood Village. The colorful diagram keeps visitors and local pedestrians informed of restaurants, storefronts, and amenities using categorized lists for easy searching. 

The map includes coupons from local Westwood Village businesses and we are circulating it in our District, neighborhoods, and the UCLA campus. 

If you or your business would like copies of our walking map, please contact us.

What is the Westwood Village Improvement Assoication?

What is the Westwood Business Improvement District, or BID, as it is sometimes called? In technical terms, the Westwood BID is an area, defined by specific boundaries, in which owners pay an additional property tax to fund special benefits to the properties and businesses located within the boundaries. The Westwood BID’s boundaries extend from the south side of Wilshire Blvd to the south side of Le Conte Ave, and from Hilgard Avenue to Gayley Avenue. The Westwood BID is governed by the non-profit Westwood Village Improvement Association (WVIA), and our mission is to make Westwood the best possible place to live, work, and play.

So... Why are Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Important?

Due to economic realities, cities are no longer able to deliver on standards of cleanliness and security. BIDs have picked up the slack. It is proven that BIDs reduce crime, increase property values, and help drive retail sales in districts. Plus, BIDs provide a mechanism for property owners and merchants to work collaboratively for their mutual benefit. There are 38 BIDs in Los Angeles, over 80 in California, and more than a thousand in the United States and abroad.

Los Angeles BIDs contribute millions of dollars of services each year. The WVIA, and organizations like ours, pick up tons of trash and debris every year, pressure wash miles of sidewalk, trim thousands of trees, complete acres of landscaping, work to house the  homeless, maintain public infrastructure, and many more projects that make thriving communities.

BIDs are funded through the Property Based Assessment District, meaning each retail business in the boundaries of the BID pays an assessment. Assessments on property are calculated based on the square footage the lot, building, and linear frontage. In Westwood, the assessments collected fund services that average over $3,500 spent every day on cleaning services, safety services, hospitality services, communications, public relations, advocacy, city liaison, and many other crucial services and District oversight that would not otherwise exist.

Can you tell how Westwood Village has improved since our inception in 2011? Please let us know how we are doing! We strive for perfection and want to make the Village enjoyable for everyone, merchants, business owners, visitors and locals alike. We couldn't do it without your continuing support.

Please visit our website, www.TheWestwoodVillage.com, for more detailed information about us and download a copy of the Management District Plan or read more about the benefits of Business Improvement Districts.

The Ambassadors of Westwood Village

Have you ever been lost in Westwood? Or maybe you’ve had trouble finding that great shop or restaurant that you must visit? If so, look no further than the friendly faces wearing blue shirts that read, “I’m Here to Help.” These are your Westwood Ambassadors.

Westwood Ambassadors know every nook and cranny in the Village. They can tell you where to get burgers or where to fix your broken iPhones. Our Westwood Ambassadors are not only trained in hospitality, but they are crossed trained in safety and maintenance. They maintain the Village and treat it like their our living room. Any day while roaming the Village, you may see an Ambassador picking up debris, removing graffiti, or just saying hello to people walking by.

Working late? Our Ambassadors will escort you to your vehicle. Stuck in the rain? Our Ambassadors will walk with you beneath their umbrellas to your destination. Ambassadors act as a crime deterrent to give you peace of mind. Since the WVIA's inception in 2011, the overall safety and cleanliness of Westwood Village has improved significantly. This not only creates a welcoming environment for our visitors, but for the Westwood business community as well. With so many advantages to this program, it's hard not to gush.

“We were pleased to find a much cleaner Westwood. There were considerably less transients, an obviously stronger police presence, and uniformed personnel on Segways. Noticeably cleaner sidewalks. Thank you and keep up the good work!” - Andrew Leary, frequent visitor

"As a resident of Westwood Village, I want to thank you for all your work in the Village. The streets look fantastic. And it is a pleasure to walk through the streets again." - Jennifer Siu, resident

"First, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the great job you are doing in Westwood Village.  Next, I wanted to say part of the reason the job is being done so well is because of some exemplary employees, in particular, Michael Gonzalez." - Linnea Duvall, frequent visitor

One of our brightest stars, Melissa Montes, was named Ambassador of the Year! She has been with the program for just over a year, and has earned the title. A Los Angeles native, and our youngest Ambassador, Melissa splits her time working and going to West Los Angeles College where she studies Criminal Justice. She hopes to one day become a Probation Officer or an employee of the Los Angeles Police Department. Some of her favorite things to do in Westwood are visiting the Farmers Market and grabbing a bite at BJ's Brewhouse, where her favorite dish is shrimp pasta. She also enjoys working out at the local LA Fitness and watching UCLA Football games at one of our many restaurants (even though she cheers for our crosstown rival).  We are so proud of all of our heroes in blue for making the Village more inviting for our guests and businesses. But, their work is never done. They work day in and day out to keep our streets clean and safe for our visitors.

Have you been helped or benefitted from our Ambassadors? Let us know! We love hearing your comments and suggestions as we are always striving for perfection.

Need help? They are here to help! For assistance with just about anything the 
Westwood Ambassadors are only a phone call (213) 294-0899, or email away Ambassadors@thewestwoodvillage.com.