Village within a city: what is Larchmont BID and why it matters
Larchmont Village is one of the most beloved streets in Los Angeles—a rare pocket of community, connection and history. It feels like a small town tucked right in the middle of a big city. But keeping a street like Larchmont vibrant and functioning doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, problem-solving and long-term thinking. That’s where the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID) comes in.
Artist Rendition
So, what is a BID?
A Business Improvement District is a group of commercial property owners who pay into a special assessment—based on square footage—to fund services and improvements that support the street and its businesses. These are the things the city can’t always provide, especially as its resources are stretched citywide. There are more than 40 BIDs across Los Angeles, each helping fill the gap in ways that meet their neighborhood’s unique needs.
The Larchmont Village BID runs along Larchmont Boulevard from Beverly Boulevard to First Street. We take care of sidewalk steam-washing, graffiti removal, trash collection and any other issues that arise. We manage social media to promote local businesses, build relationships with press to spotlight our Village and set the tone for how Larchmont presents itself to the broader community. We also work closely with Council District 13 (CD13) to resolve issues and advocate for our neighborhood’s needs.
One example of the BID’s impact is the bistro lights now hanging over the street. These were funded by the BID with additional support from individual property owners who stepped in to help close the gap, as they often do when there’s a project that benefits the whole street. With support from the Larchmont Historical Society, we also added lighting to the public parking lot, transforming it into a space for community gatherings like the recent Comedy Night on Larchmont.
Everything we do is rooted in a shared goal: to preserve the small-town charm of Larchmont, even as we grow. What makes this neighborhood unique is its people—multiple generations sharing the same street, the kids who’ve grown up here and the familiar faces you see every time you walk the Boulevard. That deep sense of connection is what gives Larchmont its character, and it’s BID’s responsibility to protect it while guiding thoughtful, community-centered progress that reflects the values of those who call it home.
Working together to move Larchmont forward
None of this happens alone. As executive director of BID, I work closely with Romi Cortier, president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association (LBA), which represents our merchants. Together, we’ve launched a long-term beautification plan for the Boulevard. We coordinate seasonal planting and holiday decorations—small but meaningful touches that help Larchmont feel festive, welcoming and full of life throughout the year. We’re currently replacing outdated trash cans with new, touchless receptacles—a clear priority for many since COVID. Romi is also leading a Legacy Bench Program,inviting neighbors and local businesses to sponsor benches or trash receptacles with personalized plaques. These projects are not just practical upgrades—they’re opportunities to participate in Larchmont’s next chapter.
Why this work
matters to me
Larchmont isn’t just where I work—it’s where I live and raised my family. I’ve been coming here since I was born. In my twenties, I remember walking down the Boulevard and thinking, “When I am a grownup, this is where I want to live.” I’ve now lived in Larchmont Village for 24 years and helped co-found Larchmont Charter School with other families who believed in creating a public school grounded in community, diversity and academic excellence.
Larchmont has changed—and will continue to—but its essence can and should be preserved. That’s what the BID is here to do: protect what makes Larchmont Larchmont, while helping it thrive well into the future.
I hope you’ll be part of it, with your support and your continued love for this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
Heather Duffy Boylston is executive director of the Larchmont Village Business Improvement District. You can support them at larchmont.com
Category: News
