Project Area:

Fairfax Avenue between Olympic Boulevard and Whitworth Avenue, neighboring Carthay Square and Wilshire Vista Heights neighborhoods.

Project Funds:

$250,000

Through this project, LANI will assist merchants and property owners with marketing initiatives and install catalytic streetscape improvements, such as street trees, banners and facade improvements. This combination of promotion and beautification is designed to attract new businesses and customers, while giving existing businesses an economic boost. In order to leverage and sustain these efforts, LANI will support the continued development of a BID or similar organization, as well as conduct outreach activities to garner and maintain community buy-in and backing throughout the duration of the project.

After a walking tour of the project area, FAEBD steering committee members decided upon the following neighborhood improvements:

• Storefront Facades
• Sidewalk Repair
• Decomposed Granite Treewells
• Street Banners

With LANI's guidance, the committee selected Studio 111 as the design team for the facade work. Construction is currently underway and is expected to be completed July 2005. Vibrant colors, awnings and new signage is an attention getter on this heavily traveled avenue, inviting motorists to eat, drink and shop on Fairfax.

Steering committee members represent local community stakeholders, participate in all committee meetings, make substantive decisions on project improvements, select consultants, work collaboratively with LANI staff, Council Offices and City Departments, and garner consensus in the community for final project approval.