Relocating Common Ground Makes No Common Sense

February 15, 2012

Dear Editor,

I am adamantly opposed to the relocation of Common Ground. I have lived on Cedar Street near Lincoln Avenue for 40 years, I have been a resident of the city for 63 years, and I taught at the public high school for 31 years. ("Santa Monica's Sunset Park Residents Upset over Non-Profit Neighbor," February 14, 2012)

Santa Monica used to be a family community, I am not sure what it is now. Cedar Street, however, between Lincoln Boulevard and Euclid Street has resurrected itself to some extent. There are new, young families (small children) who have found this location in Sunset Park to their liking.

I cannot imagine the City in its right mind allowing such a relocation in such close proximity to family residential homes. There is enough going on in the outside world for good, young parents to deal with without this. The end result will be that homes will no longer sell, and thus become
rentals ... and that doesn't do much for your family community.

Beyond this, the relocation proposal puts what we are hoping never happens to our youngsters adjacent to their educational institutions. That seems like a no-brainer.

As a long-time resident of Sunset Park, there is no way I want my street name associated with this organization. If the question is where might the relocation take place ... my suggestion is somewhere close to the police department and/or city hall and/or a public medical facility... all for obvious reasons. But certainly not in a residential, family community near schools.