Correction
Due to an editing error “Hush Money” (Letters to the Editor Dec. 3, 2015.), said that Hermosa Beach Mayor Carolyn Petty offered to pay residents who limit their city council comments to under two minutes. The letter should have said that Petty offered to make donations to Walk with Sally.
Seagulls are locals
Dear ER:
I don’t really care about the pigeons, but aren’t seagulls a part of the seascape? I haven’t seen too many falcons circling our beaches (“Falconer hired to control Redondo Pier pest bird,” ER December 3, 2015).
Michael Goergen
Facebook comment
Flying rats
Dear ER:
I really want to see the falcon in action against those flying rats at the Redondo Pier Pier (“Falconer hired to control Redondo Pier pest bird,” ER December 3, 2015). Or at least see some good YouTube videos. It’s going to be the world’s fattest falcon in no time.
Rhett Bise
Facebook comment
One waterfront, one plan
Dear ER:
For a large, risky development to be considered an economic success, a project should return 15 percent of the investment each year, according to the 2014 San Pedro Ports O’ Call Village Redevelopment Financial Analysis. Both the developer and investor need a profit that beats inflation and alternative investment opportunities. CenterCal will pay no rent to the city if the return on their $300 million waterfront development is less than 10 percent, implying that returns of 10 percent or less are not economically viable.
A 15 percent annual return on $300 million is $45 million. The primary cash stream is rent. So $45 million in annual rent over 524,000 square feet of development means that rent will need to be $7.16 a month per square foot. For the Waterfront to achieve minimal economic viability at 10 percent return, tenants will need to pay $30 million a year or $4.77 a month per square foot.
According to the Ports O’ Call financial analysis, a Los Angeles development with premium rents as a waterfront destination should expect to rent $3 to $4 per square foot per month. The average rent in the South Bay is $2.26. Promenade at the Peninsula asks for $2.50. Barney’s Beanery paid $3.25 for their prime location on the Redondo Pier. The average across all LA lifestyle centers is $3.24. Santa Monica Place asks $5 and 3rd Street Promenade asks $7.
How can we expect CenterCal’s Waterfront to achieve enough commercial success to ask rents of $7.16 a square foot each month? They would need to be as successful as 3rd Street Promenade. If we built 3rd Street Promenade in Redondo Beach, would existing local businesses paying $2.26 to $3.25 be able to afford the $7.16 rent or would we be more likely to have chains and national brands across our waterfront? Do you want 3rd Street Promenade in Redondo Beach?
Or perhaps CenterCal is planning to live with $4.77 a square foot and mimic Santa Monica Place but only achieve minimal economic success. Do we need to replace 220,000 square feet of minimal economic success with 524,000 square feet of minimal economic success?
Everyone agrees the pier needs redevelopment. Everyone agrees the AES power plant needs to go. The Waterfront and AES projects are not independent. Their design, development, infrastructure and zoning should integrate nicely into our city. Now is our first opportunity in over 100 years to think about what we want our community to be in the future. Let’s demand a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of our waterfront for generations to follow. One city, one waterfront, one plan.
Martin F. Holmes
Co-Founder Rescue Our Waterfront
Redondo Beach
Two new schools better than one
Dear ER:
In June 2016, we are going to vote on a $58 million to $68 million school bond, $33 million of which will be used to build a new North School. As the parent of a kinder student, I plan to vote against this bond, although I am keeping an open mind and this is not due to the cost. I would gladly vote for a bond of twice this amount. My reasons for voting against this bond include the following:
There has been no mention of creative alternatives, other than rebuilding North School.
There has been no mention of applying for state or federal dollars, nor asking for community/corporate/private sponsors. Overall, Hermosa continues to be one of, if not the lowest funded district in the state per student. I see no action by our board to rectify this, so I don’t feel comfortable letting them make a $60 million decision
I recently was asked to “voluntarily” pay $42 per day for days my daughters missed school. This was on top of the $1,000 the HBEF would like donated, the Halloween Carnival, volunteer time, the Wine Walk, and the Spring Fundraiser/Auction.
I live five blocks from North and will not be impacted by traffic to North. North School might open by the time my daughter reaches fourth grade. Significant improvements to Valley and View will most likely happen after that, likely beginning with View. My daughter will probably be at Mira Costa or Redondo Union prior to any significant facilities improvements. Maybe her children will enjoy View or Valley, although since we are only upgrading them, they will probably need to be rebuilt while she is still paying off the first bond.
I have approached the Hermosa School Board, local activist groups and school leaders, asking that we explore building two new schools concurrently on the existing open spaces at Valley and View. This would require creative, thinking such as suspending outside activities during construction, which might probably require a state waiver. Flag football games would have to be moved. Logistics would need to be solved. I get it…it would not be easy.
We would, however, gain two, brand new, state of the art schools. We could then find something to do with North School, including additional class space, after school care, district offices and a school/community pool.
North School seems to be looked at only because it is available, not because it makes the most sense. I suggest in the Request for Proposal process that we let the architects evaluate all three school sites, independently of the Board. Rather than say “we can’t do this” let’s at least ask the questions. Aren’t we trying to teach our children to be more critical thinkers?
Now is a generational chance to change our schools for the best.
Tom Lewis
Hermosa Beach
Revitalized, not supersized
Dear ER:
Thank you to the nearly 100 neighbors who attended the Rescue the Waterfront meeting. We look forward to collaborating with the residents to ensure our waterfront is revitalized, not supersized. Waterfront Redondo developer CenterCal specializes in large shopping mall developments that are not beneficial to this city. Please join us in fighting for the reason most of us moved here — the water, the harbor, and recreational use of them.
We recognize many community members are passionate about this project, but we encourage all to be respectful of the opposite side. Engaging in personal attacks is a distraction from the real policy discussion of more than doubling development in the Harbor, 45 foot cement walls blocking the views of the waterfront, and the tremendous traffic impacts. Our next meeting, on December 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Redondo Beach Hotel, will feature a keynote speaker focused on the impacts to our surrounding beach cities. For more information check out our website at SaveTheWaterfront.org or call (310) 245-5871.
Candace Allen Nafissi, MPA
Redondo Beach Historical Commissioner
Redondo Beach
Unfortunately, unfair
Dear ER:
My husband and I have been interested in learning as much as we can about the proposed waterfront project at the Redondo Pier. We’ve attended city council meetings, public comment sessions on the Draft Environmental Impact Report and information sessions presented by CenterCal. Last night we attended a meeting hosted by Rescue Our Waterfront.
The presenters did provide some useful information, but there could be no doubt that they were firmly against the project. It was often unclear what was factual and what was personal opinion. In spite of the hosts claiming that the meeting was going to be fair and impartial, the Q & A seemed anything but. Anyone against the project was allowed to make statements, but anyone in favor of the project was quickly shut down. It was unfortunate that a fair and impartial dialog wasn’t allowed to occur. That’s the kind of thing I’m looking for to help become educated on the project and make an informed decision.
Attending the Rescue Our Waterfront meeting did serve one purpose. I am now convinced I need to do more research and read the EIR thoroughly so when I hear people making claims that appear to be outrageous, I will know the facts
Penny Wirsing
Redondo Beach
Why we’re here
Dear ER:
To paraphrase an old saying, “It’s the ocean, stupid.” As former Councilman Bob Pinzler has written, CenterCal’s project focuses too little attention on why we live here — the ocean. And too much on shopping. “Beach” in a city’s name conjures up surf and sand images, not retail. People travel here for the ocean, not for shopping opportunities. It’s interesting that there’s a movie theater on site. Most people believe the movie is outside — the ocean and the Palos Verdes’ views. The project should emphasize recreation, with enough economic activity to make it financially viable.
The proposed 525,000 square feet is too much development for an area constrained by water and two-lane roads. You can’t name a large development that doesn’t have major entrance and exit arteries, without major traffic.
Another issue is the competition, not just from Del Amo Mall, Manhattan Village, The Point, Plaza El Segundo, Galleria, and other “lifestyle centers,” but most concerning, from online. Black Friday 2015 retail sales plummeted 11 percent, yet online sales were up 15 percent. The number of Internet connected devices will nearly double in five years. The largest group of consumers, young people, won’t shop in stores, but rather online. When this happens, the project will become a financial albatross for the city’s taxpayers, yet CenterCal will have made their money and moved on.
Rightsize this project, focus on recreation, and we’ll have a winner.
Todd Loewenstein
Redondo Beach
