Little Tokyo Business Improvement District conversion draws sharply divided public comment; ballot tabulation set for July 1

Speakers for and against converting the Little Tokyo Business Improvement District (BID) from a merchant‑based to a property‑based assessment system gave the City Council sharply divergent testimony on Tuesday. The public hearing on item 6 was closed and the clerk scheduled a public, live‑streamed tabulation of ballots on July 1.

Why it matters: A property‑based BID would change how assessments are collected and could increase funding for public‑safety patrols, maintenance and marketing in Little Tokyo. Supporters said conversion is needed to sustain services; opponents said outreach was inadequate and that assessments would unfairly burden residents and small property owners.

Supporters’ arguments David Ikigami, president of the Little Tokyo Business Association, said the merchant‑based BID’s volunteer structure is “becoming unsustainable” and that recent vandalism and boarded storefronts show the need for a professionally staffed BID. “We ask for your help in meeting the challenges of a new LA,” he told the council.

Several property owners and business leaders said the extra revenue would pay for security, graffiti removal and marketing to welcome tourists and visitors. Yuriko Shikai, a board member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and president of the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California, said converting to a property‑based BID is “necessary to keep the community safe, clean, and vibrant.” Ellen Endo, co‑chair of the Little Tokyo BID, said the ballot count had been completed but expressed confusion that it was not being certified in the chamber that morning and urged the council to allow the process to proceed.

Opponents’ arguments Opponents warned the transition could harm longtime residents and small property owners and criticized outreach and transparency. Rosalyn Kawahira, a homeowner and merchant, said the timing was wrong and described the level of public notice and information as insufficient. Community organizer Mario Correa warned that property‑based BIDs can drive criminalization of homelessness and displacement of low‑income residents.

Other residents raised procedural concerns, saying many condo owners did not receive ballots and that meetings and outreach were held at times or places that limited participation. Several speakers urged the council to delay approval and require additional community engagement and clearer budget information.

Clerk announcement and next steps The council closed public comment on item 6 and the clerk announced that the tabulation of ballots would take place in Room 223 of City Hall immediately after the hearing and that the tabulation would be publicly live streamed at clerk.lacity.org/bids. The public announcement of the tabulation result was scheduled for July 1, 2025.

Ending The council closed the public hearing and directed the clerk to conduct a public tabulation of ballots; the final decision on conversion will depend on the outcome of that tally and any follow‑up hearings or administrative steps.