March 25, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Civic Lot Stands Empty, And May Do For Years:

The presence of more than 100 speakers at City Council advocating the fulfillment of a 10-year-old promise to build a sports field at the corner of 4th and Pico in Santa Monica did little to progress the issue despite its inclusion in the 2005 Civic Center Specific Plan. However, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on the Civic Auditorium will go-ahead immediately.

Santa Monica City Council, voting at a regular scheduled meeting Tuesday February 9 at City Hall, moved to take next steps on the Civic Working Group (CWG) and City staff’s recommendations to proceed with changes to the Civic Auditorium only, leaving other elements of the 2005 Civic Center Specific Plan without resolve.

The nine-member CWG spend two years developing recommendations for City Council. City Staff then worked with consultants HR&A to develop a “robust set of alternatives” for Council.

Following two hours of public comment, City Council Members spent more than an hour deliberating the issue before moving the motion to focus on the auditorium only.

Councilmember Gleam Davis suggested a direction to City staff to look at the possibility of erecting a temporary sports field on the allocated site, acknowledging that it could take “years and years” before an actual sports field is realized.

Councilmember Davis’ direction received a friendly amendment from Councilmember Ted Winterer for staff to generate a rough cost estimate for the temporary field for the City’s budget study in the spring.

Amongst much umming and ahhing, and fears of safety, costs and practicalities, Davis’ direction was moved. So residents may, indeed, get feedback from City staff “soon.”

“We were disappointed that Council, despite the 100+ individuals who spoke to the urgent need for this field, possibly gave no firm deadline to City Staff for reporting back to Council, and at times seemed at pains to make the staff process as time-consuming and cumbersome as possible,” said Ann Hoover, Co-Chair Samohi PTSA Civic Center Task Force

“We were blown away by the turn out for the pre-meeting rally,” Hoover added. “People are so motivated to build this field because the need is so great and so immediate.”

Kids from across the city played sports outside City Hall and took to the council-meeting dais, pleading with City Council to come good on their 2005 promise.

Alternatives presented by City staff to councilmembers could have seen the inclusion of plans for a playing field and open space made part of the RFQ process.

The speakers’ words seemed to fall on relatively-deaf ears however, as Councilmembers referred to rules, regulations, and funding limitations before deciding to move on the auditorium only. 
“Since the 2005 Plan we’ve had the Great Recession, and then, after we’d agreed to a joint plan with Samohi, the state pulled out the redevelopment funding on which we’d relied,” Councilmember Kevin McKeown explained re: the time delay. “We managed to get some wonderful public amenities completed in the Civic Center, like Tongva Park, but the sports field is only one of the elements that was delayed.’

Funding for the temporary field will be considered as part of this spring’s annual budget work, Councilmember McKeown added. “The design will come in consultation with Samohi, the School District, the College, non-school sports leagues, and the community.”

At no point did Council address the elephant in the room, observed Northeast Neighbor Tricia Crane, “Why it had been possible for them last summer to fast track the construction of an Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) on public land at the Civic Center but not a sports field.”

“What irks me is that the daycare center/preschool (ECEC) at the Civic Center has been green lighted and ground will be broken this year. Why was the daycare center/preschool given the green light by the current City Council and NOT the park?” commented Suzanne Brewer on The Mirror’s website.  

“Why do the people of Santa Monica have to wait for a playing field at the Civic Center while ground is being broken on a daycare center/preschool which is primarily for the children of people who are not Santa Monica residents?” she asked.

Indeed, during the council meeting, City Manager Rick Cole mentioned several times that councilmembers have the power to do whatever they wish, by means of City staff direction.

Several councilmembers indicated that looking at adding more playing fields in the future across Santa Monica was the best solution to his suggestion, although nothing was put in motion regarding this.

in News
Related Posts

Santa Monica Pet Hotel Hosts Puppy-Friendly St. Patty’s Day Party

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

A new pet hotel in Santa Monica recently hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for local dogs. Check out all...

Santa Monica Mountains Largest Ever Restoration Project Nears Completion After 7,000 Hours of Volunteer Work

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Final planting event will be held Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. for the park’s largest ever restoration project After...

California Appeals Court Rules Uber and Lyft Can Classify Drivers as Independent Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Film Review – Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

FILM REVIEWOPERATION FORTUNE: Ruse de GuerreRated R114 MinutesReleased March 3rd Now that the season of weighty Oscar contender films is...

Santa Monica Uses Innovative Water Recycling Facility to Capture and Store Rainwater

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

City’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project reducing reliance on imported water and sets a model for future projects Santa Monica has...

Shuttered Santa Monica Loews Hotel to Rebrand and Reopen as a Regent Hotel

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Hotel’s new operator announces plans for $4 million renovation, including rebranding and upgrading accessibility for guests with disabilities By Dolores...

Three Arrested for Identity Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, and Grand Theft in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Suspects found with over 20 stolen cellphones, credit cards, and identification Three individuals were arrested in Santa Monica for identity...

Proposal for Improved Communication With Street Vendors Sparks Contentious Debate in City Council Meeting

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Councilmembers divided over proposal calling for City Manager to engage in meaningful consultation with authorized vendors regarding sidewalk vending policies...

Former Bank Building in Santa Monica Becomes a Food Destination with Addition of Katsu Bar

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Katsu Bar joins Paderia and Oakberry in the transformation of the 3032 Wilshire building By Dolores Quintana Katsu Bar has...

Survey: Should Officials Remove Barriers to Outdoor Dining?

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

Gasolina Cafe Owner, Sandra Cordero, to Open New Tapas Bar in Santa Monica

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Tapas bar expected to open late spring in former Heroic Italian space at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard  Sandra Cordero, the...

California’s AB 1217 Could Supersede Costly Outdoor Dining Permits Proposed by Municipalities

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Emerging Artist Jesse Liu Opens First-Ever Exhibition in Venice Gallery

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

“Spring Fever” currently on display at Yiwei Gallery By Keemia Zhang Local artist Jesse Liu has opened her first solo...

Santa Monica Place Invites LGBTQIA+ Artisans to Apply for Made With PRIDE Marketplace

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Partnering with Streetlet, the marketplace will take place each weekend in June and showcase local goods made in Southern California....

Santa Monica Councilmember Phil Brock Appointed to National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education, and Families

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Brock to collaborate with group of local leaders to develop and guide programs for communities across the country Santa Monica...