Garcetti: 'Second Golden Age of Hollywood' Is Here

Hollywood has undergone dramatic changes in the past 10 years as the community has shifted its focus to issues of public safety, economic development and efforts to solve homelessness.

Addressing those concerns has led to a "second golden age of Hollywood," Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti said in his 11th annual State of Hollywood address on Thursday. More than 300 business and community leaders gathered at the Taglyan Cultural Center for the annual luncheon hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

On public safety

Garcetti recognized three women for being "leading ladies" who paved the way to safer streets in the community: Kerry Morrison, executive director of the Hollywood Business Improvement District (BID); Sharyn Romano, director of the Hollywood Beautification Team; and Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Beatrice Girmala of the Hollywood Division.

He said the trio's focus on "crime and grime" has made Hollywood as safe as it has been since the 1950s.

Garcetti said that compared to 2010-11 crime statistics, homicides have dropped in Hollywood by more than 27 percent, robberies are down by 11 percent and grand theft auto is down by almost 9 percent. 

Compared to crime statistics in 2001, homicides are down 47 percent, he said. Robberies are down 58 percent and grand theft auto down is 70 percent, he noted. Overall, he said, violent crime is down 66 percent.

"What's exciting about that is that, here in Hollywood, we're bucking the conventional wisdom that when the economy goes down, crime goes up," Garcetti said. "But to continue the momentum we cannot let up."

The councilman said he would lead the fight at City Hall to maintain a strong Police Department and use programs and technology to bolster public safety. He cited maintaining the security cameras on Hollywood Boulevard 24/7—which helped catch the suspect—and the Summer Night Lights program at Lemon Grove. He resolved to help keep the Walk of Fame safe and clear away rogue tour buses. 

On economic development

Garcetti told the audience that the is an opportunity to rethink economic development "to ensure the small and medium-sized businesses and the neighborhoods that are blighted continue to get the help they need."

He credited the CRA's efforts to help usher in the "second golden age in Hollywood."

"We're probably past that tipping point and maybe we will be able to survive without the Community Redevelopment Agency," he said. "But the people who were there and made it happen, who saw in this last decade our property values increase by 160 percent—more than double—and our tax increment go up 475 percent in a decade, that’s evidence that when we get government playing the right role of helping out that great things can happen."

Among the year's accomplishments he highlighted were: Cirque du Soliel's Iris as one of the main catalysts for a record year of tourism in Los Angeles; the opening of a and expansion of its fleet as a step toward reducing traffic congestion; working to not sell the city's parking structures in Hollywood for short-term gain and protecting the Hollywood Farmers Market. 

On homelessness

Along with Hollywood BID's Morrison, Garcetti commended Rudy Salinas and Reggie Homes of PATH and Sunny Duran of GettLove and Blessed Sacrament Social Services Center for their work toward aiding the homeless.

With their help, 150 people have been taken off the streets of Hollywood, he said. Their solution has been to provide permanent housing with supportive services that include drug abuse counseling, job training and child care, he said.

On policymaking

Garcetti expressed his vision for the proposed Hollywood Community Plan, a long-term planning document that aims to provide a blueprint for development and growth in the area. He envisions a plan that will protect neighborhoods, reduce traffic and create jobs.

He asked for the support of business leaders to provide feedback through a business survey he has overseen as a member of the city's jobs committee. He said it's an effort to give businesses "the voices they deserve at City Hall so we can tailor our policies around your needs."

Garcetti said he will also work to eliminate a gross receipts tax in the city, calling it a long battle.

He said he seeks to have a "real and frank dialogue" with the film and entertainment industries. He would like to make electric power nodes available so that power generators can be eliminated, and have a policy of not ticketing vehicles with a film permit.

[Editor's Note: In Garcetti's speech he highlighted several Hollywood development projects to watch for in the upcoming year. Stay tuned for a followup outlining what's on his radar.]