If the Westwood Village Improvement Association wants to revitalize Westwood, it first needs to fix its revolving door problem.
For years, the neighborhood has suffered from a dreary commercial scene, struggling to support new businesses and draw in a large customer base from its more vibrant surroundings. The neighborhood saw hope through the association, which has pledged to make Westwood cleaner, host events to attract visitors and provide services the city cannot provide.
However, the association’s 13-member board saw six resignations in the past year alone. This high turnover rate is worrisome and needs to change. The association has taken upon itself to revive the Westwood scene, and if it wants to make good on its promise, it needs to start by recruiting more committed people and holding its board and staff more accountable.
Since the association was established in 2011, Westwood has seen substantial changes – the streets are cleaner, trees are being trimmed and businesses are better promoted. In April, Westwood property owners renewed the association for 10 years, signifying their approval of the association’s work and their trust that it can expand on the previous five years’ success.
But the association now runs the risk of becoming lax. It has been in near-constant flux, where only a little more than half of its members have served for more than a year – hardly what one would call steady leadership. Certainly, board members are unpaid volunteers and resignations sometimes happen due to company relocations, but constantly changing leadership does little to assuage the association’s stakeholders. Moreover, it raises concerns about whether the association can fulfill its goals in a timely manner, since progress in city matters requires continuity in oversight and engagement – the association has yet to demonstrate either.
At its Jan. 19 board meeting, the association said its goals for the year include improving sidewalks, planning a plaza on Broxton Avenue and promoting businesses during the holidays.
These projects have strong potential to improve the area. For example, according to the Facebook event page, about 2,000 people are either interested or going to the association’s Valentine’s Day outdoor movie showing, and many people support coordinating a midblock crosswalk that will connect businesses on Westwood Boulevard.
However, these projects cannot be realized without board members who are committed to the task at hand and ready to dedicate their efforts in full. An actively engaged and stable board can ensure that progress on these goals is made every month and keep the association’s staff accountable.
That is not to say Westwood Village has not seen improvements the past year. The achievements of years past are the reason the association was renewed, and the board must remain committed to continuing on the headway it has made so far.
Westwood already has the ball rolling. But the association needs to ensure it stays that way for years to come.