O'Farrell Reports on Critical Issues Facing the City at State of Hollywood
January 19, 2017
HOLLYWOOD, CA-- A room full of Hollywood's business community attended the Chamber's annual State of Hollywood to hear Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell. Having nearly completed his first term representing the 13th Council District, Councilmember O’Farrell had a lot to report at his fourth State of Hollywood address at Taglyan Cultural Complex on Thursday, January 26th. The Councilmember, who is up for re-election in the primary on Tuesday, March 7th, has been endorsed for re-election by the Hollywood Chamber Political Action Committee.
In his report, Councilman O’Farrell emphasized how we must “relentlessly strive to help Hollywood reach its full potential, to be more livable, to be the most desirable place to do business, to welcome tourists, to celebrate its past, and be very thoughtful how we evolve into the future.” He discussed affordable housing, housing options, homeownership, pedestrian safety, sidewalk improvement projects, landscaped medians, healthcare, and more. He talked about the need to update all community plans in the city within 10 years and noted that there are important issues to keep an eye on such as a 2-year construction moratorium on the March 7th ballot.
The event was an excellent opportunity for attendees to network and gain exclusive insights on jobs and the local economy, increasing the affordable housing stock, walking in Los Angeles, and public safety.
At the Chamber's annual State of Hollywood address presented by Variety and Hollywood Museum at the Max Factor Building at Taglyan. From left: Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (CD13), Dr Fariba Kalantari, Chair of the Chamber Board, and Donelle Dadigan, Founder of the Hollywood Museum. Photo by Marlene Panoyan
O’Farrell has built a solid reputation as a Councilmember who understands the importance of maintaining a healthy business climate. He led the fight to be sure that the City Council considered business impacts before voting to raise the minimum wage. He was the first Councilmember to go on the record opposing Measure S, the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative that would slap a building moratorium on Los Angeles. He is working to create opportunities for more affordable housing and to reform City policy to help small, neighborhood businesses that drive the local economy. He recently pledged at the Chamber’s State of the Entertainment Industry Conference, that he will work to address issues that make it difficult for the film industry to shoot in Los Angeles.
The Councilmember’s district is the most diverse in the City, including the neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Historic Filipinotown, Hollywood, Mid- Wilshire/Koreatown, Rampart Village and Silverlake. He understands the importance of Hollywood, its history, and its brand as a unique one-of-a-kind destination place for the rest of the world, noted Gubler. “He is working to enhance Hollywood’s reputation as a world-class neighborhood in which to live, do business and visit,” said Gubler. “He promotes that it is an economic driver for the rest of L.A. as the entertainment capital of the world and a worldwide destination for tourists.”
Council President Herb Wesson assigned Councilmember O’Farrell as Chair of the Arts, Parks, and Los Angeles River committee; Chair of Entertainment and Facilities; and a committee member of Economic Development committee, Energy and Environment committee, Public Safety committee, Public Works and Gang Reduction committee, as well as the ad hoc committee for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Presenting sponsors are Variety and the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building. Platinum Level sponsor is Taglyan Cultural Complex. Gold Level sponsors are Harman Press, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., Loews Hollywood Hotel, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Pantages Theatre/Nederlander Concerts, and Paramount Pictures. Silver Level sponsors are Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CIM Group, Comcast | NBCUniversal, Emerson College Los Angeles, FilmL.A., Inc., Harridge Development Group, Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City, Hollywood Hotel, Hollywood Palladium / Live Nation, Iron Mountain Entertainment Services, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, The Original Farmers Market, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Rescore Cal-Coast / The Rise Hollywood, US Bank, W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, and The Walt Disney Company.
About Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – www.hollywoodchamber.net
For more than 96 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, advocacy, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Dr. Fariba Kalantari is the Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2016-17) and Leron Gubler is the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
In his report, Councilman O’Farrell emphasized how we must “relentlessly strive to help Hollywood reach its full potential, to be more livable, to be the most desirable place to do business, to welcome tourists, to celebrate its past, and be very thoughtful how we evolve into the future.” He discussed affordable housing, housing options, homeownership, pedestrian safety, sidewalk improvement projects, landscaped medians, healthcare, and more. He talked about the need to update all community plans in the city within 10 years and noted that there are important issues to keep an eye on such as a 2-year construction moratorium on the March 7th ballot.
The event was an excellent opportunity for attendees to network and gain exclusive insights on jobs and the local economy, increasing the affordable housing stock, walking in Los Angeles, and public safety.
At the Chamber's annual State of Hollywood address presented by Variety and Hollywood Museum at the Max Factor Building at Taglyan. From left: Leron Gubler, President & CEO of the Hollywood Chamber, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell (CD13), Dr Fariba Kalantari, Chair of the Chamber Board, and Donelle Dadigan, Founder of the Hollywood Museum. Photo by Marlene Panoyan
O’Farrell has built a solid reputation as a Councilmember who understands the importance of maintaining a healthy business climate. He led the fight to be sure that the City Council considered business impacts before voting to raise the minimum wage. He was the first Councilmember to go on the record opposing Measure S, the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative that would slap a building moratorium on Los Angeles. He is working to create opportunities for more affordable housing and to reform City policy to help small, neighborhood businesses that drive the local economy. He recently pledged at the Chamber’s State of the Entertainment Industry Conference, that he will work to address issues that make it difficult for the film industry to shoot in Los Angeles.
The Councilmember’s district is the most diverse in the City, including the neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Historic Filipinotown, Hollywood, Mid- Wilshire/Koreatown, Rampart Village and Silverlake. He understands the importance of Hollywood, its history, and its brand as a unique one-of-a-kind destination place for the rest of the world, noted Gubler. “He is working to enhance Hollywood’s reputation as a world-class neighborhood in which to live, do business and visit,” said Gubler. “He promotes that it is an economic driver for the rest of L.A. as the entertainment capital of the world and a worldwide destination for tourists.”
Council President Herb Wesson assigned Councilmember O’Farrell as Chair of the Arts, Parks, and Los Angeles River committee; Chair of Entertainment and Facilities; and a committee member of Economic Development committee, Energy and Environment committee, Public Safety committee, Public Works and Gang Reduction committee, as well as the ad hoc committee for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Presenting sponsors are Variety and the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building. Platinum Level sponsor is Taglyan Cultural Complex. Gold Level sponsors are Harman Press, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc., Loews Hollywood Hotel, Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Pantages Theatre/Nederlander Concerts, and Paramount Pictures. Silver Level sponsors are Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CIM Group, Comcast | NBCUniversal, Emerson College Los Angeles, FilmL.A., Inc., Harridge Development Group, Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City, Hollywood Hotel, Hollywood Palladium / Live Nation, Iron Mountain Entertainment Services, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, The Original Farmers Market, Paramount Contractors & Developers, Rescore Cal-Coast / The Rise Hollywood, US Bank, W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, and The Walt Disney Company.
About Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – www.hollywoodchamber.net
For more than 96 years, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has provided leadership, advocacy, business development resources, networking, and government affairs programs and services to keep the Hollywood business and residential communities safe, relevant and economically vital. Dr. Fariba Kalantari is the Chair of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2016-17) and Leron Gubler is the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. For more information please visit www.hollywoodchamber.net.
Contact:
Hollywood Chamber
info@hollywoodchamber.net, (323) 469-8311