1 July 17, 2025
The Honorable Amy Howorth
Mayor
City of Manhattan Beach
1400 Highland Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Dear Mayor Howorth,
First and foremost, thank you for your continued support of Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. (OTS) and our stewardship of the iconic Roundhouse Aquarium. Your commitment to this beloved landmark has helped it remain a place of inspiration, education, and community pride.
The Roundhouse Aquarium has become a center for hands-on marine science education, community engagement, and global outreach. Since the completion of its renovation in 2018, the Roundhouse Aquarium has welcomed and served more than 1,100,000 guests and students. These visitors have engaged in our interactive exhibits and participated in immersive learning programs focused on the importance of the ocean and the marine life that inhabits Santa Monica Bay. A substantial portion of these guests also contribute to the local Manhattan Beach economy—shopping, dining, and enjoying services offered by nearby businesses, making the Aquarium not only an educational cornerstone but also an important economic driver for the city.
Our top priority is maintaining the Roundhouse Aquarium as a first-class destination, with engrossing exhibits that educate the public. Maintaining the Aquarium in pristine condition requires ongoing care, particularly given its location in a marine environment. To ensure that the Aquarium remains safe, functional, and impactful, we must proactively invest in its infrastructure and systems.
To help us address these needs, OTS respectfully requests that the City of Manhattan Beach consider an annual allocation of $110,000 for each of the next three years to support repairs and maintenance of the Roundhouse Aquarium. The requested funds would be used solely for repair, maintenance and replacement as needed of tanks, exhibits, displays and life support systems. This investment is essential to preserving the facility, safeguarding our marine exhibits, and continuing the delivery of meaningful experiences for our visitors from Manhattan Beach and around the world.
We believe that this investment in the Roundhouse aligns with the City’s values and priorities—and with the deep affection that our residents and visitors hold for this iconic space. Your support will help ensure that the Roundhouse remains a cherished public resource for generations to come.
Thank you for your consideration and for your leadership in preserving one of Manhattan Beach’s most treasured assets.
Respectfully,
Hillel Cohn Grace Adams
Chairman of the Board Executive Director
Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc.
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Roundhouse Aquarium’s Investment
Request to the City of Manhattan Beach
$80,000 annually for the next three years to cover:
-Repairs and Maintenance
-Equipment Replacement Purchases
Funds will be placed in a restricted account
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Roundhouse Aquarium Equipment
• Roundhouse currently has equipment with a cost basis of approximately $1.6 million
• Equipment includes tanks, pumps, life support systems, pipes, displays, etc.
• Annual depreciation charges for equipment are
approximately $119,000 based on useful life schedules
prepared by independent accountants
• Useful life schedules may be optimistic given our location over the ocean and constant exposure to harsh marine
environment
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Historical Maintenance Costs
• FY 23-24
• Maintenance and Repair: $42,000
• Equipment Replacement Purchases: $201,000
• Total: $243,000
• FY 24-25
• Maintenance and Repair: $45,000
• Equipment Replacement Purchases: $46,000
• Total: $91,000
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Future Replacement Costs
• A substantial portion of the Roundhouse equipment is
projected to have a useful life of 10 years
• Most of this equipment was placed in use in 2018
• We anticipate future equipment replacement costs of
approximately $650,000 between now and 2029
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved CONFIDENTIAL 7
Exhibit Lighting Upgrades –
January 2024 - $10,000
Before
After
Chiller replacement due to
age and failed heat
exchanger –
August/September 2025 -
~$30,000
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Waterproofing second floor to leaks and
damage to drywall ceiling below.
April 2024- $58,000
Pipe insulation and ceiling repair. –
January, July, August 2024 -$89,000
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved CONFIDENTIAL 9
Terrazzo Floor maintenance + Stone
Revitalization and Repair –
Quarterly -$15,000(total) ($2,400
quarterly +$6,500 for stone
revitalization)
Drywall repair due to water damage –
December 2023, July 2024, April 2025 –
$25,000
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Visitor Counts Per Year
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Where Guests Are From
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Roundhouse Aquarium as an Economic Driver
A Small Aquarium with a Big Local Footprint
•200,000+ annual visitors generate consistent foot traffic to the pier and downtown (1.29M visitors over the past 7 years)
•$25.7 million in estimated local economic activity
Conservative assumption: 20% of visitors spend ~$100 at nearby restaurants, shops, and parking
•~$257,000 in direct city revenue generated estimated at 1% of visitor-driven spending
•Supports local employment through full-time, seasonal and part-time jobs •Strengthens Manhattan Beach’s brand identity as a family-friendly, environmentally focused coastal destination
•$4 million + privately funded revitalization improved infrastructure, visitor experience, and long-term economic value—with little burden on taxpayers •s
WWW.ROUNDHOUSEAQUARIUM.ORG
© 2020 Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved Notable Press: 34,282,652 Reached
See article HERE
UVM: 1,345,573
See article HERE
UVM: 208,339
See article HERE
UVM: 9,219,689
See broadcast HERE
UVM: 5,022,033
See article HERE
UVM: 14,228,525
See article HERE
UVM: 4,258,493
Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc.
Cash Inflow vs. Cash Inflow Report
FY 23-24 FY 24-25
Earned Income $ 164,610 $ 159,368 Restricted Grants $ 251,451 $ 300,948 Individuals, Corporations, Foundations $ 319,235 $ 326,373 Door Donations $ 67,875 $ 65,205 SPLASH $ 30,000 $ 217,846 Community Events and Other Fundraisers $ 34,421 $ 31,108 Interest $ 10,383
Total Cash Inflow $ 867,592 $ 1,111,231 Maintenance, Repairs & Equipment Purchases 242,638$ $ 91,506 Programs $ 83,010 $ 88,234 Salaries, Taxes, Fringe, Office $ 714,790 703,879$ SPLASH $ 200 $ 29,453 Fundraising & Community Events $ 7,752 $ 30,405 Marketing $ 33,574 $ 37,049 Accounting & Insurance $ 38,070 $ 42,642 Total Cash Outflow 1,081,964$ 986,118$
Net Cash Outflow/Net Cash Inflow (214,372)$ 125,113$ Footnote:
Maintenance, Repairs & Equipment consists of the following:
*Aquarium Repairs & Maintenance, Safety &
Security
$ 42,048 $ 45,347
*Capitalized Equipment Purchases $ 200,590 $ 46,159 242,638$ 91,506$