Take Mall Redevelopment to Voters

March 9, 2005

Dear Editor:

Downtown Santa Monica has a unique combination of ocean, beach, pier, mountain views, hotels, restaurants and shops. It's close to all the attractions of Los Angeles, yet far enough away from it's high rises and heavier traffic patterns to preserve our own unique qualitites.

Historically, Santa Monica has had an elegant home-town feel that is accessible and people-friendly. For these reasons, downtown Santa Monica has always been a huge draw for tourists and local people alike. Traditionally, most residences with coastal views and lush park-like gardens were situated away from the downtown area.

The first Macerich plan, concieved without the knowledge of most of Santa Monica’s citizens, had three 21 story towers full of high cost residences and would have brought in a lot of money. But, sometimes financial considerations are the worst reasons for deciding what happens to a city.

Had this plan been implemented, it could have set a precedent of ever increasing numbers of 'New York style' highrises containing luxury lofts, condos and apartments accessible only to those who can afford the view. In my opinion this plan did not preserve the historical spirit of Santa Monica, and, judging by the uproar it caused, it did not reflect the views of the majority of Santa Monica's citizens.

Plans for three 21 story towers may be dead but do we want three 15 story towers? And do we really want to increase the number of residences already in the down town area?

On Wednesday evening, Mar 2, 05, at a meeting of Friends of Sunset Park, a Macerich exexutive and Santa Monica’s assistant city manager, described a plan for series of community meetings designed to allow Santa Monica citizens to have a say in what becomes of Santa Monica Place. Great idea!

The logical conclusion to gathering information from these meetings would be a public ballot. If it was good enough to have a vote in 1976 concerning Santa Monica Place, (and Beverly Hills and Redondo Beach citizens are voting on their development issues,) why can’t we have the vote again?

Julia Moosbrugger,
Santa Monica resident for over 40 years