Welcome to Little Tokyo
Little Tokyo Business Association
Little Tokyo Business Improvement District
A Closer Look at the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District
The Little Tokyo Business Improvement District (LTBID) is one of 39 BIDs in L.A. and one of nine in the Downtown area. Currently, the Little Tokyo BID is comprised of 430 stakeholders, including nearly 100 restaurants, scores of gift and clothing shops, two world-class museums, two theaters, eight churches and temples, cultural institutions, and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT?
A business improvement district is a geographically defined area within the City of Los Angeles, in which services, activities and programs are paid for through a special assessment which is charged to all members within the district in order to equitably distribute the benefits received and the costs incurred to provide the agreed-upon services, activities and programs. The assessment money is collected by the City or by the County through a special contractual arrangement with the city.
Currently in California and in the City of Los Angeles, the establishment of business improvement districts is authorized by two state laws--one that allows for the creation of merchant-based special assessment districts and one for property-based districts. In both cases, a majority of business owners or commercial property owners in a given area decide to acquire special benefits and to pay for those benefits themselves.
HOW WAS THE LITTLE TOKYO B.I.D. ESTABLISHED?
The Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance establishing the merchant-based Little Tokyo B.I.D. in 2003. The Little Tokyo Business Association manages the B.I.D., which has operated continuously since it was launched. Although other merchant-based B.I.D.s exist in other parts of L.A., the Little Tokyo B.I.D. is the only merchant-based B.I.D. in Downtown Los Angeles. The vast majority of B.I.D.s are property-based, where property owners are assessed based on square footage.
WHO ARE THE LITTLE TOKYO B.I.D. STAKEHOLDERS?
Businesses and nonprofits within the Little Tokyo B.I.D. boundaries (indicated on the map above) are stakeholders. Stakeholder meetings are held quarterly and are open to all interested persons.
WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE LITTLE TOKYO B.I.D.?
Create a positive identity for the Little Tokyo community.
Create a positive identity for the Little Tokyo community.Create and maintain an image of Little Tokyo as a desirable destination. A place in which to live, work, visit, shop, dine, be entertained, attend cultural events, worship, and contract for services.
Create and maintain an image of Little Tokyo as a desirable destination. A place in which to live, work, visit, shop, dine, be entertained, attend cultural events, worship, and contract for services.Improve the Little Tokyo environment and strengthen investor confidence.
Improve the Little Tokyo environment and strengthen investor confidence.Retain and attract business investment into the Little Tokyo community and encourage new business startup and expansion of existing businesses.
Retain and attract business investment into the Little Tokyo community and encourage new business startup and expansion of existing businesses.Strengthen the Little Tokyo commercial economy by implementing a variety of methods to promote the Little Tokyo commercial district to increase current sales and develop future retail sales.
Strengthen the Little Tokyo commercial economy by implementing a variety of methods to promote the Little Tokyo commercial district to increase current sales and develop future retail sales.Strengthen the relationship between the Little Tokyo business community and various government agencies.
Strengthen the relationship between the Little Tokyo business community and various government agencies.WHAT KINDS OF SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE LITTLE TOKYO B.I.D.?
The bulk of the funds collected through the Little Tokyo B.I.D. assessment is applied toward security. Our safety ambassadors patrol the area on bicycle patrol seven days a week for 15 hours each day. The B.I.D. also provides cleanup services and marketing for the area.
