The Business Improvement District met to discuss different ways improve the town. Chrysalis, which is hired by the BID, has been weeding.
The Palisades Business Improvement District held its quarterly meeting on March 4 to discuss tree planting and trash.
Established in 2016, an assessment is placed on commercial property owners in the main Pacific Palisades business district. Over the past nine years, money has been used for tree trimming, street cleaning, sidewalk washing and garbage/trash pickup.
The BID has received a $15,000 grant from the Pacific Palisades Optimist Club and the money is slated to be used for tree planting. Although a bid had been received from one company to plant either 80 24-inch or 36 inch boxed-trees. Richard Lynch, who represents Caruso on the BID, was asked if he could provide additional vendors that Caruso uses and he said he would.
The board decided more information was needed about determining how many trees were lost in the fire that needed to be replaced. An ad hoc tree committee of Kevin Niles, Robert Munakash and Bob Benton was formed. That committee will also consult with the Palisades Tree Forestry Committee and bring back recommendations for the June meeting.
Chrysalis, which has been the company, picking up trash, and power washing sidewalks, from the beginning of the BID’s inception continue to work in the business district.
Chrysalis Representative Ernesto Ramirez said that 7,000 pounds of trash had been picked up in January and February from the Business District. He said workers have shifted to weeding tree wells and sidewalks in the area. “Workers have weeded 800 sq.ft. in the district,” he said and also pointed out a trash can that had burned and asked if BID wanted his crew to paint it.
The answer was “yes.” And that led to a discussion to see if BID has any remaining trash cans or benches. It was believed they had been stored at a resident’s home, but that had burned. Niles will follow up.
BID was told through public comment that a grocery store was needed in the Village.
Munakash, who spoke to a Gelson’s representative and Leland Ford, who spoke to a Ralph’s representative both reported that neither store is in a hurry to return. The stores don’t feel like there would be enough volume. It appears that neither store has even submitted building plans.
Even if they don’t want to start construction tomorrow, having plans ready could align them with the number of people who will be moving in (and have already moved to the condos in the Village and the Huntington, Marquez and Highlands areas).
Munakash, who moved back three weeks ago, said “It’s brutal without a store. It’s tough.”
Elliot Zorensky suggested that the Pacific Palisades Community Council could write a letter letting the stores’ corporate offices know of all the people that have moved back and the number of homes going up. The letter could remind them of how the community supported them and suggest they consider opening sooner.
BID is also writing a letter that they will send to the grocery stores.
Niles said that when CVS opened in August, business was slow, but now it is picking up with so many people moving back.
BID also briefly discussed the façade of the Business Block Building. Residents continue to wonder about the remains of that historic building, some wonder if the brick walls might topple over or if they could be saved. At least one member of the BID speculated with the damage done by the heat of the fire, it might not be feasible.
One of the BID members was going to discuss the building with the owners, the Anderson family, and report back. That family, which also owns the Chase Building had asked to be on the BID Board, for years, but no one ever responded.
Part of the trash can has burned, it will either be repainted or replaced.
