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Local organizer pitches Artesia business-improvement district and commerce app to bolster boulevard
Summary
A Redondo Beach resident urged council support for investigating a business improvement district (BID) for the Artesia corridor and described a proposed community commerce app and marketing ideas to attract businesses and integrate public art.
Rick McQuillan, a resident and volunteer for an Artesia business development effort, told the City Council he is investigating the formation of a business improvement district that he said could bring new commerce technologies and marketing to the Artesia boulevard.
“We're investigating a business improvement district. We're getting some great background and guidance from Dave Cherby,” McQuillan said during the public comment period. He described a package of ideas he said could be offered to businesses that participate in a BID, including a “community commerce app” and programs he labeled Populate Artesia (formerly “Occupy Artesia”), Activate Artesia and See Artesia.
McQuillan also proposed a new component, “Design Artesia,” to match new businesses to community preferences and to help existing businesses evolve their offerings. He said he was engaging with the Cultural Arts Commission to make public art on the boulevard “compatible with our commerce strategy.”
McQuillan framed the proposals as exploratory and requested questions and support from council members. He provided an email for follow-up (rick@mcqcorp.com) and said he welcomes additional engagement from the city.
Why it matters: A business improvement district could change how services and marketing are delivered on the corridor and may involve assessment or participation by local property owners or businesses. Formation of a BID typically involves city procedures and voter/property-owner notification; McQuillan’s remarks were informational and no formal BID petition or staff report was on the council agenda that night.
Council did not take action on the proposal during the meeting; McQuillan sought feedback and collaboration with city commissions and staff.
