About Us

Mission

The Figueroa Corridor Partnership is responsible for the daily management and promotion of the Figueroa/Flower/Vermont Corridor, linking downtown Los Angeles to Exposition Park. The Partnership is committed to the area's development as a safe, clean, economically vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing environment in which to conduct business, continue an education, visit a museum, attend a sporting event, worship, or reside.



What We Do

The Partnership is a non-profit business improvement district (BID) where area property owners assess themselves additional fees to pay for maintenance, security, and marketing services above those provided by the city. The organization operates a clean team to remove trash and graffiti, a safety ambassador crew to help deter crime, and a marketing firm to provide publicity to the area through its quarterly newsletter and media outreach. The collective power of bringing together all businesses, non-profit institutions, and service organizations has helped the district work very effectively with local government organizations and bring innovative streetscape, beautification, and cultural amenities to the area.



Location

The BID is bounded by the 10 Freeway on the north, Exposition Park on the south, Flower Street on the east, and Vermont Avenue on the west.



Brief History of the Partnership

Before the Partnership began operations in 1998, the Figueroa Corridor was perceived as a neighborhood of heavy crime and general disorder, and area stakeholders were experiencing significant declines in business. The local Chevrolet dealer was told by General Motors to relocate to a better neighborhood, area museums saw attendance drop significantly, the University of Southern California had trouble recruiting students, and Orthopaedic Hospital found it difficult to attract resident physicians.

Both public and private property owners decided to band together and create the Partnership to make the area safe, clean, and attractive. The area achieved spectacular results in a short period of time. Institutions that once considered leaving the area have not only remained but are making significant new investments in their properties. New developments – residential, commercial, and educational – are springing up every year, and the area will soon be home to a new metro rail line and possibly an NFL team. More than $1.5 billion in investment has been poured into the area since 1998.

The Figueroa Corridor has noticeably improved for the enjoyment of all – property owners, business owners, residents, churchgoers, students, commuters, and visitors.



Board of Directors and Staff

Chair: Darryl Holter, The Shammas Group

Vice Chair: A. Bingham Cherrie, University of Southern California

Secretary: James R. Gilson, Natural History Museum of L.A. County

Treasurer: Steve Talavera, L.A. Child Guidance Clinic

Directors:

Mary Ann Bell, John Tracy Clinic
Ramon Castillo, L.A. Trade Technical College
Mark Cohen, CAST Real Estate Holdings
Emily Cohen, G.H. Palmer Associates
Dafer M. Dakhil, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation
Margaret Farnum, L.A. Memorial Coliseum Commission
Jon Gibby, Exposition Park
Michelle Gonsalves, Automobile Club of Southern California
Shelby Jordan, Community Resource & Talent Development Organization
Maria Lyons, Mount St. Mary’s College
James Meyer, Bob Hope Patriotic Hall
Steve Miller, California Tool Company
Stephanie Patterson, Bank of America
Mary F. Schmitz, Orthopaedic Hospital
Casey Smith, Conquest Housing
Andy Stamatin, Shrine Auditorium
Brother Tony Weidemer, St. Vincent’s Church
Fred Yadegar, Sibelle of California

Ex-Officios:

Jeff Catalano, Council District Nine
Captain James Craig, LAPD Southwest Division
Carey Drayton, USC Public Safety
Al Santillanes, Community Redevelopment Agency
David Roberts, Council District Eight

Managed by Urban Place Consulting Group, Inc.:

Executive Director: Steve Gibson
Deputy Directors: Rena Masten Leddy and Aaron Aulenta
Communications Consultant: Green Octopus Consulting