Hollywood Media District - 1st Qtr 2020

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HOLLYWOOD MEDIA DISTRICT

PG. 5

www.MediaDistrict.org

CO M M IT T E E

Committee: Clean & Green spotlight

By Mackenzie Morrison

S P OT LIGHT

However, in the face of this current crisis involving not only unprecedented increases in number of persons experiencing homelessness but also the continued global pandemic, there are limits to what the BID can control and what falls within the purview of our local government partners.

Over 80% of the media district budget is marked for special clean and safe services above and beyond that which would be provided by the city. For instance, the BID

A key objective of the Hollywood Media District is to present a well-kept neighborhood to those who work, live, and visit the neighborhood at any time.

provides trash removal, graffiti removal, and sidewalk washing. However, it is clear that the presence of homeless encampments detracts from the sense of cleanliness in the area - and these are issues that the Media District board takes seriously.

“Homelessness, and the impact on the streets and sidewalks in our community is a problem that impacts our city, the state and the country,” says Thor Lee, Chairperson of the Green & Clean Committee. “Recently we started doing more outreach in this area. Letting them know we care for them and understand.”

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One potential idea to be implemented in the future is

While the District remains a truly pristine pocket of

the scheduling of set times for cleaning and power

Hollywood, it is hard to deny the greater crisis at hand.

washing of the sidewalks that serve as the foundation

With the recent announcement that the homeless count in

of these specific areas.

the city of Los Angeles rose 14% to 41,290 and the count in Los Angeles County rose nearly 13% to 66,433 people,

The expectation would be that members of the encampments would comply with removing their tents and belongings for brief times, so the clean team could establish a reoccurring time where they could deep

there is a clear need for significant change1. Executive Director of LAHSA, Heidi Marston, admits that the current causes of homelessness are “deep-rooted2.” There is a sense of impatience that as a community we must effec-

clean and disinfect the sidewalks, while aiding in any

tively execute the hard work it will take to not only treat,

trash disposal as well.

but also sustain a lifelong, habitual approach to protecting people from remaining unhoused.

“Frankly, right now,” according to Lee, “it really drills down to those areas where we are trying to come up with logical and compassionate

1

https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/ San-Francisco-strikes-deal-over-Tenderloin-15336228.php

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https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=726-2020greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-results&ref=hc

ways to help them live in a cleaner environment.”

This would also emphasize a need to connect with each person individually, and to truly work together as a team in order to keep our streets clean. Lee adds, “it takes groundwork, communication, and a lot of empathy.”

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Profile:

Cleveland Davis captain of security

By Mackenzie Morrison

Cleveland is the type of person

On a typical cloudy June Gloom day in Los Angeles, I

you want around during a natural

call the Hollywood Media District’s Head of Security,

disaster, or when you’re just having

this piece.

Cleveland Davis, about our scheduled photoshoot for

a bad day. He’s that person who

“Cleveland!” He answers energetically, and it’s immediately

could talk you off the ledge.

comforting. I tell him I parked on Waring and Cahuenga, and I have started walking west but didn’t anticipate how far I was from his office. He doesn't skip a beat before telling me he’s on his way. In the car, we converse about where we should take photos, until Cleveland mentions the top of the parking structure on Romaine and Cahuenga and I emphatically agree.

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We drive past the recently opened DMV on Cole, and

When asked about his favorite part of the Media

marvel at the incredibly long, but socially distanced line,

District, he says, “I truly like the entire Media District,

that wraps around the corner. We talk about how quiet

but, however, I have a special fondness for Zone 2,

it feels this morning, and we talk about the cumulative

because it brings back memories of my childhood from

length of the BID, a staggering 13 miles, which Cleveland

back in the day of being at the old Ren - Mar Studios lot,

usually patrols by bike.

which is now known as RED Studios.” Cleveland grew up as a child screen actor, appearing on shows like

At the top of the parking structure, we can see all of Los

Lizzy McGuire and That’s So Raven.

Angeles, and in the immediate forefront, we survey all of the development currently happening within his District.

Cleveland’s charisma, which is so necessary when interacting with all of the diverse people that one

I ask Cleveland if this rooftop means anything to him,

encounters as Head of Security for the BID, is a natural

to which he replies, “Sometimes I come here to watch

instinct that spills over into his personal endeavors as

the sunrise.”

well. Cleveland is the proud owner of his very own designer shoe line, featuring custom made, designer

To spend an afternoon with Cleveland Davis, the

shoes, handcrafted in Italy1. Cleveland is also a singer,

Hollywood Media District’s Head of Security, is like

songwriter and musician releasing music under the

spending an afternoon with that version of yourself

name J’wai2. His sixth studio album, and first official

you aspire to be. A cool, calm, and collected character

worldwide release, is expected to come out this August.

defined by hard work, inherent talent, and the priceless advantages that come with true emotional intelligence.

Start up a conversation with Cleveland, and you will be

Cleveland is the type of person you want around during

amazed at where it will go.

a natural disaster, or when you’re just having a bad day.

He’s that person who could talk you off the ledge.

When driving me back to my car, Cleveland takes me down Lillian Way where we see the remnants of a

Born in Gardena, CA and raised in Los Angeles, Cleve-

homeless encampment that looks to be for the most

land fell victim to the LAUSD budget cuts when he was

part, dissipated. This is the part of the job where

laid off from his position as a music teacher, which led

Cleveland’s people skills shine through so clearly. As

him to become the Assistant Director at the Bel Air Bay

he tells me about the people who once lived here, there

Club in the Palisades. And - now he proudly serves as

is a gentler tone to his voice. A sense that he feels to

Head of Security for the Hollywood Media District via

still be a part of their lives even if their physical presence

AGS Protect.

is gone for the moment. A deeper understanding of the current crisis at hand. Cleveland is so effective at his

Up at 3:30 AM daily, he likes to read and mentally

job because he is energized by meeting and working

prepare for his early morning shift that starts at

with every single human being who comprises the

5:30 AM. To keep the peace, he practices Chi, the

Hollywood Media District.

art of meditation with kung fu, and he especially enjoys watching the sunrise.

1 2

https://www.aliveshoes.com/jwai https://www.instagram.com/therealjwai/?igshid=1t0kplfx1lbj9

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S OC I ALIZ E

Sightglass

A passion for coffee?

By Kim Sudhalter

A welcoming destination for

On Saturday, March 14, 2020 San-Francisco-based

everyday occasions, the Sightglass Sycamore flagship is home to a coffee bar, full-service kitchen, and coffee roastery, as well as a public education and wholesale resource center.

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Sightglass Coffee opened a spectacular new flagship in a beautifully-renovated 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse space at 7051 Willoughby Avenue in the Hollywood Media District. A mere two days later, they were required to close per Coronavirus orders. Now, just over three months later, a newly-configured Sightglass Coffee has re-opened under all new guidelines designed to keep customers both safe and satisfied.

Sightglass Coffee is currently open 8am-3pm for curbside pick-up. You can choose to order in advance via Toast for contactless pick-up or visit the walk-up window during those hours to order on-site from Sightglass’ front porch at Willoughby & Sycamore.

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specialty food market/coffee bar/bakery/wine and flower shop that will sell all of their prepared foods, fresh produce, charcuterie and daily staples. Sightglass Provisions market should be open by mid-August.

The last phase will be to re-open the Sightglass Their extensive selection of delicious freshly-prepared

restaurant for sit-down dining early next year. The

coffee and espresso drinks, utilizing beans roasted

restaurant will be accessible via a separate entrance

onsite, is available along with a variety of herbal teas,

on Willoughby & Sycamore and will feature a large

imported sodas and ginger beer.

walled-in patio garden. Diners will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner either inside or out at

No time to hit the market? No worries. Sightglass has

socially distanced tables.

you covered with fresh farmer’s market produce, meat and fish, dairy products, beer and wine and pantry

For more information visit www.sightglasscoffee.com,

staples like flour and beans that can all be ordered

and follow @sightglassprovisions for the latest on their

online and picked up same day.

curated produce and pantry staples.

Once restrictions begin to loosen, Sightglass plans to turn the front half of property into a neighborhood

Sightglass Coffee 7051 Willoughby Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038 www.sightglasscoffee.com @sightglassprovisions HOLLYWOOD MEDIA DISTRICT

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PRO J ECT

D EV ELO P M ENT

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The Harlow

Creative office space in Hollywood

Hudson Pacific Properties, one of the most prolific

By Jason Lopata

creative office developers in Los Angeles, is constructing its “Harlow” office building as a part of its Sunset

While today we must all spend

Las Palmas Studios complex. Having begun construc-

too much time at home, the offices

office space oriented toward the content creation

of tomorrow continue to be built in the Hollywood Media District.

tion in 2018, Harlow will provide 106,125 sq. ft. of new industry as it is completed this summer. The location of this new office building within the confines of a film production studio shows how the content creation process is evolving. But for the Hollywood Media District neighborhood, the arrival of office buildings such as Harlow represents its ultimate maturation into a major center for the digital economy in Southern California.

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Harlow’s situation is somewhat unique, in that it will

Harlow’s role within the Hollywood Media District is

be an independently-leased office building located

in some respects a continuation of the historical

on the grounds of a functioning studio lot compound.

patterns in this neighborhood. The Hollywood Media

Typically, office space on studio lots is limited and is

District has traditionally been the place where film

directly linked to the filming activity taking place on

production technical activities were performed –

that lot. But in the case of Harlow, the office space

activities such as editing, creating special effects, or

will be leased to third-party entertainment industry

film processing. Harlow, with its soaring glass walls

tenants, who benefit from the proximity to one another

harkening back to the earliest Hollywood soundstages,

and to the site of filming, even if they don’t directly

will house similar sorts of production support activities,

interact with the action on the set. Moreover, the

adapted to the current digital age.

privacy and security of locating in a studio compound is appealing for these firms and their clients.

This shift from physical to digital production support methods, alongside the growth of the streaming

The growing demand for creative office space in

business, has an important impact on the neighbor-

Hollywood is in line with the evolving nature of

hood. Today’s office workers at Harlow and similar

content creation. The work of video and audio

projects will be well-inclined to patronize the local

production increasingly takes place on a computer

businesses of the Hollywood Media District. While

screen rather than in a physical soundstage or cutting

Harlow is cocooned within Sunset Las Palmas Studios,

room. As Sunset Studios Senior Vice President Bill

its beneficial impact will be felt beyond.

Humphrey puts it,

“Tech and media companies are changing the entertainment landscape. The proliferation of content creation from both traditional entertainment companies and streaming media companies has increased the demand for production and office space in Hollywood. Many of these companies require simultaneous access to sound stages, production facilities and creative office space.”

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2020 Board of Directors J. Luster: President D. Bass: Immediate Past President T. Lee: Treasurer M. Padilla: Vice President A. Gardner: Secretary N. Larrew: Community Relations OfďŹ cer W. Anabel, S. Campbell, M. Demson, R. Groeper, P. Hickey, R. Howard, A. Massachi, J. Massachi, A. Mehrtens, S. Pan, T. Ragan, B.Scane, C. Short, F. Wehbe, A. Wilder

Contact Us: 948 N. Sycamore Avenue, Suite 217 Hollywood, CA 90038 phone: (323) 371-7438 email: bidadmin@mediadistrict.org

www.MediaDistrict.org