A Streetscape renaissance: Wilshire Center looks to pick up over $2 million in funds to beautify area.

Tenants leaving buildings for newer properties downtown. Subway construction choking businesses along Wilshire Boulevard. The question being asked is: what is going to happen to this once vibrant and vital area in the center of our city? The unanimous response from a group of business and property owners who are members of the Wilshire Center Streetscape Committee of the Wilshire Chamber of Commerce is clearly visionary.

Andrew Miliotis, property manager for Wilshire Financial Tower and chairman of the Streetscape Committee says over the next two to three years the Wilshire Center community will see a resurgence, the beginning of a renaissance. Gary Russell, owner of Russell & Associates, an architectural firm, and project manager for the committee says over these coming years there will be dynamic changes with Wilshire Center's leadership coming together to rebuild the community. They both talk of Wilshire Center becoming the "Uptown" of Los Angeles.

These dynamic changes depend on over $2 million of grant applications. $700,000 has been approved by the State of California Resources Agency under the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program and is awaiting final approval in July by the California Transportation Commission. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), is reviewing a $1.3 million application for funds. Miliotis said, "MTA has $1.2 billion in federal, state and local funds available this year to fund transportation related projects. MTA staff has placed the application on the 'fast track' for submission to the MTA Commission in May. With approval by the MTA Commission, the application will be submitted for final approval in July by the California Transportation Commission."

If funding is approved, the Committee plans to start the revitalization of Wilshire Center immediately. Phase one of its program is a Streetscape plan whereby 5,000 trees will be planted along Wilshire Boulevard and in adjacent neighborhoods. Gateway monument signs will be located at the east and west portals of Wilshire Center. A landscaped central median will be constructed on the centerline of Wilshire Boulevard in Wilshire Center. Curbsides will be landscaped, crosswalks and sidewalks will be enhanced. Streetlights will be improved and modernized and new bus stop benches and street furniture will be installed.

Linda Hedden, leasing manager at Central Plaza and Metroplex, says that Wilshire Center will experience a totally new upscale image. Hedden said, "If Wilshire Center is to compete effectively in the current market we need to create a heightened level of awareness. We are serious about retaining our current business-base and adding to it by luring back some of the businesses which have moved. Wilshire Center has many positive selling points, such as abundant parking at affordable rates and an easily accessible and central location which will be enhanced by the completion of the Metro Rail stations along Wilshire at Western, Normandie and Vermont."

City Councilmen Nate Holden and John Ferraro have been avid supporters of the Streetscape Committee and its proposed project. Holden, who has been actively involved since the inception of the Streetscape project eight months ago, said, "This will bring a resurgence to the area. Not only will this project beautify, it will rebuild confidence in the area, bring together the local community and it will sustain a strong business community. It will also create jobs", said Holden, who is assisting the Committee which has been working with the Korean Youth Center and Portals House, an agency that services mentally challenged adults in Los Angeles by trying to find them employment opportunities. With the implementation of the proposed Streetscape plan, Wilshire Center will encourage pedestrian activity and support the transit system, like Metro Rail, reducing the dependency on cars. Caldera said, "This Streetscape program will move Wilshire Center into the 21st Century with a direction and a bright future."

The Committee is very much aware that property owners are having a difficult time convincing businesses to commit to staying in Wilshire Center, especially retailers affected by the Metro Rail construction, whose revenues have fallen dramatically and are having a very difficult time making ends meet. But, as Miliotis said, "We have a vision that Wilshire Center will return to the thriving and bustling business, retail and cultural center that it once was. We have an achievable plan and with funding secured, we can begin implementing that plan as early as August 1993." He also said that, "the decision of Thrifty Corporation to keep its corporate headquarters in Wilshire Center indicates that the message is getting out to the business community and they are listening. We think good times are just around the corner."

Miliotis and his committee called upon local businesses and property owners on May 14 to bring their checkbooks to a fundraising breakfast at the Radisson Wilshire Plaza Hotel. In addition to the $2 million in public funds, the committee is seeking an additional $200,000 in private funding for their beautification plans.

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