Ocean Park Community Center on Council Vote: "A Workable Compromise"

(Letter from OPCC Executive Director John Maceri)

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of so many of our clients, volunteers and staff the Santa Monica City Council voted 5 to 1 in favor of proceeding with the acquisition of the Cloverfiled property!

In response to community concerns raised during our outreach efforts the Council directed their staff to continue working with us and the community to develop the site for housing, and find an alternate location closer to downtown for the Access Center. We feel this is a workable compromise that will result in improved services for OPCC clients, and create an important and productive partnership with the community.

On a personal note, I want to thank each of you for your wonderful support over the last several weeks. This has been one of the most difficult things we've had to undertake and the opponents decided early on to make it a very nasty and personal campaign to defeat the relocation. All of your letters, e-mails and phone calls in support of the relocation helped move us forward.

Your affection for OPCC means so much to all of us who are fortunate enough to work for this great agency. Thank you for standing up for us in our time of need.