Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, May 28, 2024

1 David Yakobson
From: Jacqueline Lennon <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: STC - May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
Born and raised in the Venice/Santa Monica neighborhood (my grandparents settled in Venice in 1917), and having lived the majority of my life on the Westside, I have many fond memories of attending events at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The Santa Monica Civic is a legend location and should be saved!
I understand that today you have an opportunity to enter into negotiations with RPG (Revitalization Partners Group, LLC) to restore and reopen the Civic Auditorium as a destination performing arts and cultural center for Los Angeles and the Westside.

I believe it is imperative that our Civic Auditorium be saved and kept in public hands, and that Santa Monica residents continue to own the Civic. I understand that RPG is an experienced entertainment consortium and will not require any public funds.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Jacqueline Lennon
[email protected]
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2 David Yakobson
From: Carol Joffe <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:46 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic

EXTERNAL
Please fight the takeover of our once beauƟful and special city from the gargantuan greed mongers who want to take the money and run.

Our Civic Center is vital to maintain our cultural life here in Santa Monica Make it STOP here The way things are going there will be no quality of life at all Thank you for your consideraƟon Carol Joffe Sent from my iPhone Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
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3 David Yakobson
From: Carol Lemlein <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28 Agenda Item 4D Conference with real estate negotiator for 1855 Main Street

EXTERNAL
Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro-Tem Negrete and Council Members, We are writing to you today on behalf of the Santa Monica Conservancy Board of Directors. We are very encouraged to hear that at least one response to the LOI process has emerged. We ask Council to take the steps necessary to allow RPG (Revitalization Partners Group LLC) to develop a proposal.

The Conservancy has been very concerned that for more than 10 years, the Civic Auditorium has been standing vacant, in need of seismic upgrade and restoration before it can once again be put to use as a community resource. Continued vacancy is a threat to this important historic building! Thank you for your consideration,
Carol Lemlein and Ruthann Lehrer
Advocacy Co-Chairs,
Santa Monica Conservancy Board of Directors
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4 David Yakobson
From: Alisa Becket <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:39 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
Dear council members,
I am writing in support of the restoration project of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. My grandfather, Welton Becket was the architect of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and designed the building to be a cultural center for the city of Santa Monica to serve as a public auditorium. Now a historical landmark, the building is an architectural treasure in our city and in need of restoration to be used again to serve the public. This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Thank you for your time and attention to the important matter.

Alisa Becket
Alisa Becket
[email protected]
310-430-5427
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6 David Yakobson
From: L. Barber & C. Yost <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Proposal for the Santa Monica Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
It has come to my attention that you have an option before you to upgrade and restore the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center. As someone who remembers with great affection seeing Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and other stellar artists at the Civic, I am writing to urge you to move forward with that option with all deliberate speed.

I was working as a cook in 1972 on the Santa Monica Pier when an action to demolish the Pier came about following the defeat of the man-made island concept. Residents of Santa Monica, working people from the Pier and other community activists banded together to fight against the demolition. As Coordinator of Friends of Santa Monica Pier at that time, we engaged community members to let their interest and feelings be known about keeping the Pier through letters and attendance at meetings of the council. Ultimately, it took the defeat of three council members to accomplish the task of saving the pier.

The movement to save Santa Monica Civic Auditorium seems to bear similar markings to that situation in the early 1970s. The Santa Monica Pier is now a vibrant asset of the city and the proposal from Revitalization Partners Group presents the council with a realistic and rewarding chance for the Civic to be an equivalent dynamic asset.

It is my hope that you will take this positive step toward injecting the Civic with new energy and preserve this treasured piece of Santa Monica’s history.

Sincerely,
Larry Barber
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7 David Yakobson
From: Mike Bone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D Santa Monica Civic Center

EXTERNAL
Council Members,
The Santa Monica Civic must maintain its public ownership. Future operators should be professionals with concert venue experience so there is the best possible chance of success. Once an agreement is reached, I would encourage the city to stay out of the operation of the Civic. Let the pros do their job.

If this is done properly, a vibrant Civic Auditorium will be an economic driver for Northern Main Street, Pico Boulevard, the Santa Monica Place and the 3rd Street Promenade. The hotels and restaurants will be positively impacted…..resulting in FURTHER tax benefits for the City of Santa Monica.

One need to look no further than the Walt Disney Concert Hall to see how this can be done.

Thank you.

Mike Bone
Mike Bone
[email protected]
310 795 3231 mobile
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” T. Edison Item 4-D
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8 David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Blum <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 11:00 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Our Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
> hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://www.savethecivic.org/so/fcO_OE56y?languageTag=en&cid=e8d25d87-32dc4916-98f7-761516c1b8a8__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!oYrKNREmkeit2JjdjwQZi6nZRh1- uiQLw0wHPx8tNW1OEbbe1es84lGClbOC444UDBbDUo01Br9bzG-RMIIZ3Ks8dPwQ$ ®ion=9caeacee-a183-4d68-91a6- 71bd89bca6f2
<hƩps://urldefense.com/v3/__hƩps://www.savethecivic.org/so/fcO_OE56y?languageTag=en&cid=e8d25d87-32dc4916-98f7-761516c1b8a8&region=9caeacee-a183-4d68-91a6- 71bd89bca6f2__;!!OfuUnHCITYtmmjM!oYrKNREmkeit2JjdjwQZi6nZRh1- uiQLw0wHPx8tNW1OEbbe1es84lGClbOC444UDBbDUo01Br9bzG-RMIIZ3Oarvp1k$ > Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
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9 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 10:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: https://www.savethecivic.org/so/fcO_OE56y?languageTag=en&cid= 37b21b3b-3d07-4242-9816-fbf21a715b57&region=9caeaceea183-4d68-91a6-71bd89bca6f2

EXTERNAL
Our Civic Auditorium (savethecivic.org)
Marvina L. Miller,
Property Manager
Century Commercial Brokerage Company
Phone: 310-394-4991x227
Mobile: 323-854-5110
Email: [email protected]
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10 David Yakobson
From: Steven Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 10:41 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Jenny Rogers; David White; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Jesse Zwick; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Ann Bowman; Lori Brown; Arati Desai Wagabaza; Maryanne LaGuardia; John Smith; Andrew Gomez; Noe Mendoza; Jennifer Taylor; Nia Tang
Subject: Recreation & Parks Commission and the Civic Auditorium Attachments: Recreation and Parks Commission Letter To Council Re The Civic Auditorium.pdf Dear Mayor Brock, Mr. White, and Esteemed Councilmembers:

Pursuant to the directive outlined in Article X, Section 1014 of the City Charter (Recreation and Parks Commission. Powers and duties.) with respect to all matters pertaining to public recreation, including playgrounds, music and entertainment, our Commission (RPC) voted unanimously on September 19, 2023 in support of the City retaining ownership of the Civic Auditorium and the RPC submitted a letter to you dated September 28, 2023 (copy attached) in which we highlighted the significant input provided by the community over several decades in favor of revitalizing the Auditorium, which historically has been the community's most significant venue for civic and public life.

The letter also spotlighted for Council that during the Civic Working Group (CWG) process (2013-2014) over 1,700 individuals, most of whom resided or worked in the City at that time, provided input during the process and per the CWG Report (page 20) "[t]he overwhelming public response...reflected a desire to maintain the Civic for performing arts and cultural uses".

Further, in our September 28, 2023 letter we recognized the most recent public sentiments expressed at Council and other public community meetings in strong support of maintaining the Auditorium exclusively as a civic asset in perpetuity.

We are gratified to see that this community hope and goal may be advanced tonight in Closed Session Item 4.D. The RPC looks forward to working with Council, Staff, Revitalization Partners Group, LLC, and the community to restore and reopen the Auditorium as a civic, cultural, and performance venue.

Sincerely,
Recreation and Parks Commission
Steven Johnson, Chair
Andrew Gomez, Vice Chair
Maryanne LaGuardia
Lori Brown
John C. Smith
Arati Desai Wagabaza
Ann K. Bowman
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11 Item 4-D
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Recreation and Parks Commission
September 28, 2023
Mayor and City Council Members
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: The Civic Auditorium
Dear Mayor Davis and City Council members:

We emphasize that the Commission is against the City selling the Auditorium to any third party, including to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), for any purpose.

We highlight the significant input provided by the community over several decades in the Civic Center Specific Plan (CCSP), which is the governing planning document for the Civic Center area. The Auditorium is the centerpiece of the CCSP and historically has been the community's most significant venue for civic and public life. We also call your attention to the many hours of community input that informed the Civic Working Group (CWG) process in 2014-2015, which is reflected in the CWG Report dated November 2015, presented to Council in February 2016.

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The then-Chair of the Recreation and Parks Commission was among the nine members appointed by Council to the CWG, along with appointees from the Arts, Planning, and Landmarks Commissions.

Over 1,700 individuals, most of whom resided or worked in the City at that time, provided input during the CWG process and per the CWG Report (page 20) "[t]he overwhelming public response...reflected a desire to maintain the Civic for performing arts and cultural uses".

Further, the Commission recognizes recent public sentiments expressed at Council, School Board, and other public community meetings in strong support of maintaining the Auditorium exclusively as a civic asset in perpetuity.

Accordingly, we advise Council to end negotiations with SMMUSD under the Surplus Land Act as soon as legally possible and suggest this process move forward quickly enough to preserve the possibility of a reopening in conjunction with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Recreation and Parks Commission looks forward to working with City Council, Staff and the community to revitalize the Auditorium as a civic, cultural, and performance venue.

Sincerely,
Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission
Maryanne LaGuardia, Chair
Andrew Gomez, Vice Chair
Lori Brown
John Cyrus Smith
Arati Desai Wagabaza
Steven Johnson
Ann Bowman
Cc: David White, City Manager
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1 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Van Denburgh <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 10:39 AM
To: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont): City Council - 5/28/2024 Item 4D -- SUPPORT -- Save the Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
To: Mayor Brock and City Council members
From: Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont), Board of Directors RE: Saving the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Board of the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) urges the City Council, and supports Friends of Sunset Park’s letter, to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Background: On January 5, 2024, the City formalized a process seeking qualified suitors to lease, restore, and operate the Civic Auditorium with an announcement calling for experienced entertainment and operating entities to submit letters of intent by January 31st.

The Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) stepped forward with a plan for a revitalized Civic Auditorium and presented it at a recent Neighborhood Council meeting.

Their plan includes the following:
1) public land should not be privatized,
2) publicly-owned performing arts and cultural facilities should be maintained, 3) this City landmark and its original purpose should be maintained, and Item 4-D
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2 4) the City will not be asked for funding.

The next step is for the City Council to decide whether to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Again, the Board of Directors of the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

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12 David Yakobson
From: Mark Rosman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 9:08 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

On May 28, 2024 you have an opportunity to enter into an ENA with Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) to seismically upgrade, restore, program, and operate our Landmark Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center. Save the Civic urges you to act without delay.

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

STC was also aware that the City had no funds to restore the Civic, nor did we think it wise for taxpayers to be asked to pay for such a project. The Civic would have to be financially self-sufficient, and optimally it should create a future revenue stream for the City.

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13 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

This opportunity comes to you after hard work from residents to make it happen. It is also a chance for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected landmark and turn it into a worldclass performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thanks,
Mark Rosman
And
Thank you from Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco
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14 David Yakobson
From: Jacob Feldman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 9:05 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
15 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco
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16 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 8:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D
From: Faustino Garza <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 7:35 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
To: Santa Monica City Council Members
Fe: Santa Monica Civic Center
I support the recommendation made to you by Save the Civic to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group in order to keep this prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

This opportunity comes to you after hard work from residents to make it happen. It is also a chance for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected landmark and turn it into a world-class performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

Faustino Garza
37-year homeowner and resident
Sunset Park
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17 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Morse <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 8:02 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
From: Nancy Morse
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D
Please enter into an agreement with RevitalizaƟon Partners Group (RPG) to seismically upgrade, restore, program, and operate our Landmark Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center. To do this will be a benefit to the city and ciƟzens of Santa Monica.

Please respect that this is a city-owned building, and should remain as such. The building and land should remain public, not be sold or privaƟzed. It should not be repurposed nor demolished.

The Civic Auditorium has a large cultural history in Santa Monica, and it should be restored to that.

Please respect the history and ciƟzens of Santa Monica, and allow RPG to save the Civic Auditorium.

Sincerely,
Nancy Morse
Resident of Santa Monica since 1980s
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1 David Yakobson
From: Gina Novish <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 7:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
Dear Council.

Please save the Civic! It is THE Santa Monica landmark. Please save some of the historical culture of the city of Santa Monica.

All the best,
Gina Reichardt
Santa Monica resident.

Sent from space
[email protected]
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2 David Yakobson
From: Jaleh MIRHASHEMI <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 12:21 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; David White
Cc: Susan Cline; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola; Jennifer Taylor; Nia Tang; Jenny Rogers; Christopher J. Smith; David Martin; Jing Yeo; Steven Johnson; John Smith; Ann Bowman Subject: May 28, 2024 Council Meeting - Closed Session Item 4.D. - Civic Auditorium & RPG

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock, Mr. White, and Esteemed Councilmembers:

We have been waiting very long to renovate and reopen our Santa Monica's landmark Civic Auditorium. Reviving the Civic Auditorium as a destination for performing arts and cultural center like in the past, was a dream for the SM residents and many others.

The Revitalization Partners Group, LLC, that is currently under the negotiating with you, considering that they offer to save our public land with no need of any public funds, would be a great opportunity for our city. The reopening of the Civic Auditorium would have a great impact on our city's economy as well.

We highly recommend and urge you to partner with RPG to restore the Civic Auditorium without any delay.

Thank you for your time and efforts.

Sincerely,
Jaleh Mirhashemi
Co-Chair, Civic Center Task Force
Resident, 23 years
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1 David Yakobson
From: Richard Lewis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:55 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: STC

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I encourage you to please partner with RPG and save our most beloved Civic Center.

As a resident of Santa Monica for the last 20 years I have had the pleasure of aƩending shows, concerts and events at the civic center. My kids have many great memories of helping out at the Westside Thanksgiving day celebraƟon dinners which used to be held there. I really hope we can tap into the great potenƟal for our community that will come with restoring a cultural hub like the Civic Center.

Richard J Lewis
1701 Oak Street
Santa Monica 90405
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3 David Yakobson
From: Ingez Rameau <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:51 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save The Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
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4 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you.

Ingez Rameau
(310) 713-1793
www.ingezrameau.com
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
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5 David Yakobson
From: Ali <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:18 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D. Civic

EXTERNAL
I am writing to support the work of Save the Civic to keep the Civic owned by the City, and to restore and reopen it.

Ali Stirland
142 Hart Avenue, Santa Monica
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6 David Yakobson
From: Bea Nemlaha <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 10:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan; Douglas Sloan
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda Item 4D, Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, and Honorable Council Members, Tonight you have a singular opportunity to be the Council that recognizes and moves forward with an exciting vision for Santa Monica’s future. You can partner with Revitalization Partners Group (RPG), an experienced, professional entertainment consortium, to restore and re-open our publicly owned Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center at no cost to the City. The economic and cultural benefits to Santa Monica, its business community and residents, indeed to the entire Westside and Los Angeles will be enormous and are needed and desired.

Please vote unanimously to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with RPG tonight without delay. Thank you Council.

Bea Nemlaha,
Ocean Park Resident
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7 David Yakobson
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:45 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan; Bruce Leddy
Subject: Council Mtg 5/28/24 - Agenda Item 4D.

EXTERNAL
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

May 27th, 2024
TO: Mayor Brock and City Council Members
FROM: The Board of NOMA
RE: The Civic Auditorium/RPG
The Board of NOMA urges City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Revitalization Partners Group for the renovation and operation of the Civic Auditorium. This highly qualified group – with extensive experience in both venue rehabilitation and concert promotion – is the ideal partner for the city on this ambitious project. With the benefit of their careful planning and execution, Santa Monica will once again have a world-class arts and entertainment venue, helping to revitalize downtown and furthering our city's reputation as a renowned center for arts and culture. Remarkably, their proposal will achieve all this at no cost to the city or taxpayers.

This rare chance to save a beloved, historic, Landmarked building and return it to its former glory through the efforts of an eminently qualified group should be a 'no brainer.' Please don't miss this golden opportunity.

Sincerely,
The Board of Noma
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8 Bruce Leddy, Chair
NOMA'S Next Meeting is JUNE 6TH at 7PM on ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81526517066
smnoma.org
[email protected]
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9 David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Porzio <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:04 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Santa Monica Civic!

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
The Santa Monica Civic is a part of Santa Monica History and needs to be preserved! You have an unparalleled opportunity to enter into negoƟaƟons with RPG (RevitalizaƟon Partners Group, LLC) to restore and reopen our Civic Auditorium as a desƟnaƟon performing arts and cultural center for Los Angeles and the Westside.

Santa Monica residents will conƟnue to own the Civic. RPG will not need any public funds. RPG is an experienced entertainment consorƟum of Make Good Group, Geyser Holdings, Irving Azoff, Oak View Group, and Live NaƟon.

This is win-win opportunity. Please negoƟate in good faith to restore the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium! Thank you,
Jennifer Porzio
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10 David Yakobson
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 8:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; David White
Cc: Susan Cline; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola; Jennifer Taylor; Nia Tang; Jenny Rogers; Christopher J. Smith; David Martin; Jing Yeo; Steven Johnson; John Smith Subject: May 28, 2024 Council Meeting - Closed Session Item 4.D. - Civic Auditorium & RPG

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock, Mr. White, and Esteemed Councilmembers:

It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I encourage you to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Revitalization Partners Group, LLC to renovate and reopen Santa Monica's landmarked Civic Auditorium.

RPG is the dream-come-true we've all been praying for - a well-resourced partner with whom to revive the Civic and in doing so also help rejuvenate our civic, cultural, and economic life for decades to come.

This is a legacy project for everyone on the dais tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 28, 2024) and for every Santa Monican.

Please team up with RPG and the community to restore the Civic without delay.

THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Recreation and Parks Commissioner (but writing in my individual capacity, not as a commissioner) Co-Chair, Civic Center Task Force
Resident, 28 years
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: Karen Blechman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 7:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is a distinctive building of historic importance which should be preserved and used for cultural events as it has been in the past. I encourage you to explore whether the City can achieve that goal by entering into an agreement with RPG.

Sincerely,
Karen Blechman
Santa Monica resident since 1979
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 6:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Michèle Vice-Maslin
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D. Save The Civic

EXTERNAL
Please save the Civic! I have attended so many wonderful events at the Civic. I have lived in Santa Monica for 44 years. The Civic is a landmark and wonderful venue! Please partner with RPG to restore the Civic without delay.

Thank you!
A neighbor,
Michèle Vice
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Durnford King <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 6:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
Please vote yes on the above.

Durnford King
2432 7th St
Santa Monica
90405
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Karen Croner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 6:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; David White; Douglas Sloan Subject: Item 4-D - SUPPORT - Save the Civic Auditorium.

EXTERNAL
I SUPPORT agenda item 4-D and urge the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

We must save this important cultural landmark…
You, the city, are taking Bergamot arts center from residents, you are taking our historical important Sunset Park Library from residents, you are taking all the parking lots on Main Street from Residents. The promenade will soon be all housing I’m told...Soon there will be “no there there." This is an election year and residents who vote want you to make a deal with RPG. We are watching.

Do the right thing and use this group to restore and revitalize the Civic Center. It is the right decision for this dying city. We lost the AFM,
we didn’t have a shot at Meow, this is a chance to create a reason for people to come to Santa Monica again. And this is the right group to
Preserve and restore this architectural treasure. Again, the voters are watching carefully. Santa Monica is circling the drain. Do something
positive and exciting for the identity of this city besides parking armored vehicles at the promenade.

Thank you,
Karen Croner
26 year resident of SM
Background: On January 5, 2024, the City formalized a process seeking qualified suitors to lease, restore, and operate the Civic Auditorium with an announcement calling for experienced entertainment and operating entities to submit letters of intent by January 31st.

The Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) stepped forward with a plan for a revitalized Civic Auditorium and presented it at a recent Neighborhood Council meeting.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
15 The next step is for the City Council to decide whether to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Again, the Board of Friends of Sunset Park supports agenda item 4-D and urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: Lois Bostwick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 5:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28 agenda 2024 4D

EXTERNAL
Please support SM partnering with RPG entertainment to help save the Civic.

Lois Bostwick
Sent from my iPhone
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
17 David Yakobson
From: Mary Hubbell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 5:56 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Phil Brock
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and City Councilmembers,
I am wriƟng to urge you to support this incredible opportunity for RevitalizaƟon Partners Group to restore and revive our Civic Auditorium back to its original use as a performing arts and cultural center.

I am grateful for the people behind Save The Civic for all their efforts to make this a real possibility.

Please vote to enter into the ENA with the RevitalizaƟon Partners Group so that we can all begin to look forward to a vibrant venue for the enƟre community to benefit from.

Make us proud! The Ɵme is right. You’ll give us all something posiƟve to look forward to.

With appreciaƟon,
Mary Hubbell
Ocean Park
Sent from Mary's iPhone
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: girltunes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
To: Santa Monica City Council
From: Ferris Gluck
Re. May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D
Dear City Council,
I stand with Northeast Neighbors of Santa Monica in the following letter:

The Board of Northeast Neighbors requests that the City Council enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group, an experienced entertainment consortium with an impressive plan to revitalize the Civic Auditorium.

Board members of the neighborhood associations recently met with representatives of Revitalization Partners and were impressed by their proposal, which we understand includes the following:
1) Public land will not be privatized,
2) Publicly-owned performing arts and cultural facilities will be maintained, 3) This City landmark and its original purpose will be maintained, and 4) The City will not be required to provide funding.

For these reasons we ask the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Revitalization Partners.

Sincerely,
Ferris Gluck
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
19 David Yakobson
From: Karla Klarin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: SM Civic

EXTERNAL
As a naƟve Angeleno I have memories of great concerts I saw at the Civic when I was young. Please reopen so that history can conƟnue.

Karla Klarin
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
20 David Yakobson
From: Dan Charn. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems; David White; [email protected] Subject: SAVE THE CIVIC -YES DO IT

EXTERNAL
https://www.savethecivic.org/so/fcO_OE56y?languageTag=en&cid=5 9f2d41c-f00d-4be2-863f-05f652f3c4bb&region=9caeacee-a183- 4d68-91a6-71bd89bca6f2

PLEASE DO THIS
but please get someone else to do the negotiations
and contracts with them because no one in this City in any department is a match to deal with Irving Azoff..
he will prevail...
and end up owning the City with Soronchinsky..
but do it ..

Danielle Charney
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
21 David Yakobson
From: Susan Helmick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 4:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members:

I urge all city council members to work to restore and reopen the Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center. We can use another venue for celebratory events in an era of troubled times. It will bring more joy to our beautiful city.

Respectfully,
Susan Helmick
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
22 David Yakobson
From: Kristin Jacobson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 3:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I urge you to partner with RPG to restore the Civic Auditorium without delay. The auditorium is a treasure and it would be devastating to lose it.

Sincerely,
Kristin Jacobson
938 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 430-5567
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
23 David Yakobson
From: Gabriel Tambone <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 1:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28th, 2024 agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the City-owned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
24 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

This opportunity comes to you after hard work from residents to make it happen. It is also a chance for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected landmark and turn it into a world-class performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you?
Gabriel Tambone
821 Bay St.

Sent from my iPhone
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
25 David Yakobson
From: Mark Ford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 1:32 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Reid Thompson
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D - SAVE the CIVIC

EXTERNAL
Hi there
As Santa Monica residents with a young child, we would like to see the historic Civic Auditorium restored and used as a cultural venue.. Please act to enter into an ENA with RevitalizaƟon Partners Group.

Thanks,
Mark Ford and Reid Thompson
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
26 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 1:23 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I won't take your time to detail all the important reasons why you should approve the proposal to move ahead with reviving the Civic. Let me just say that this center for the arts and culture needs preservation and revitalization for the good of our community and the greater Los Angeles region, now and in the future. Just do it--please.

Laurel Schmidt, Former Landmarks Commissioner
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
27 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 12:58 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Ma 28,2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
28 David Yakobson
From: D M <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 12:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear council,
Please vote in favor of reopening the Santa Monica Civic.

Thank you and all the best,
Dian Andrews
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
29 David Yakobson
From: Ed Harker <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 12:41 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D - Re: SM Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I agree that the City Council should partner with RPG and restore the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to its original purpose and glory.

This will be very uplifting for all our residents since we have been missing this great event venue and its memories for decades now.

Please save the civic this way!
Thank you,
Ed Harker
2029 20th St., S.M., CA

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
30 David Yakobson
From: Peter Altschuler <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 12:30 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Phil Brock; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Subject: The future of music, art, and culture in the city: May 28, 2024, Agenda 4D Attachments: PastedGraphic-1.tiff
Importance: High

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica has an opportunity to restore a center of music, art, and culture that, for too many years, has lain dormant. It can bring those important resources back to the city by engaging with the Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) to restore the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, both as a landmark structure and as a venue for live performances, exhibitions, and events.

Such a relationship, beginning with an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement, will retain the City’s ownership of the property, preserve an architecturally significant building, and bring activities to the Civic Auditorium that will have an ancillary benefit for Santa Monica restaurants, hotels, and retailers whose sales will add tax revenue to the City’s coffers.

In the wake of suggestions that the Civic property be repurposed or sold, Santa Monica residents made it clear that those options were undesirable and inappropriate. As Santa Monica undergoes a questionably beneficial transformation into a much denser city, the availability of a destination that provides activities that enrich residents’ lives becomes even more essential.

So, please, when the issue comes up on Tuesday evening, support the ENA with RPG and begin the process to revitalize that Civic Auditorium and the cultural rebirth of the city.

Sincerely,
p
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
31 David Yakobson
From: Connie Sonderegger <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 12:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: The Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
Please allow RPG to revitalize our Santa Monica Civic. Having grown up in Santa Monica and going to the Civic on so many occasions: concerts, dog shows, mineral shows, surf movies, Stairway to the Stars, and on and on, I implore you to save something of Santa Monica that I can sƟll recognize and remember. There doesn’t seem to be much leŌ of the place I’ve lived in for 69 years, please let a place with so many great memories return for more memories to be made.

Thank you so much,
Connie Sonderegger
Sent from my iPhone
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
32 David Yakobson
From: janine autolitano <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,
I am beyond excited to see we have an opportunity to reopen our beloved Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

I am so proud of our community and all the hard work involved to come this far in reaching our dream.

It will be such a tremendous cultural and financial boom for our city, our businesses, residents, tourists… you name it.

So many opportunities, I can't wait!
Sincerely,
Janine Autolitano
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
33 Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
34 ᖡᖢᖣ
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the City-owned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

This opportunity comes to you after hard work from residents to make it happen. It is also a chance for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected landmark and turn it into a world-class performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
35 We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
36 David Yakobson
From: Beau Grabner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
HelloI hear there is an awesome opportunity to reopen the Civic Center and develop it into a state of the art performance center. Please consider this opƟon and if all makes sense please move forward to help save this historic venue and give the ciƟzens of Santa Monica a place to see great shows and bring in addiƟonal money from all over the greater Los Angeles area. It would be so great to take the train to a show!!! Thank you! Beau Grabner
2636 28th St. Unit 2
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
37 David Yakobson
From: Abby Adams <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:40 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Patrick Adams; Kellogg Adams; Cooper Adams; Riley Adams Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
The Adams family wholeheartedly supports the following letter from the Save The Civic committee regarding entering negotiations with RPG to restore and reopen the Civic Center. It is a ‘no brainer’ and as the five of us are voting members of this community, we urge each and everyone of you to support RPG’s proposal. Thank you.

Save the Civic
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Thank you for your support over the past year to convince the City that our Civic Auditorium must be saved and kept in public hands.

On May 28, 2024 our City council has an unparalleled opportunity to enter into negotiations with RPG (Revitalization Partners Group, LLC) to restore and reopen our Civic Auditorium as a destination performing arts and cultural center for Los Angeles and the Westside. Santa Monica residents will continue to own the Civic. RPG will not need any public funds. RPG is Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
38 an experienced entertainment consortium of Make Good Group, Geyser Holdings, Irving Azoff, Oak View Group, and Live Nation.

This is win-win opportunity.

Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco

If you haven’t already, please visit our website: savethecivic.org and register your contact information so we can notify you with updates or when action is needed.
.
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Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
39 David Yakobson
From: E Arias <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:27 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
I support Santa Monica to partner with RPG to restore the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

E. Arias
Dewey St., Santa Monica 90405
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
40 David Yakobson
From: Jeffrey Sturges <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 11:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please save the Civic!!!

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
41 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
Jeffrey Sturges, forwarding the work of:

Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
42 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 10:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda May 28, 2024 Item: 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
43 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
I sign my name along with these people as I agree totally with what they wrote. Thank you.

Louise Steiner 45 years living near the Civic Auditorium in SM Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
44 David Yakobson
From: Gloria Albert <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 10:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
45 STC was also aware that the City had no funds to restore the Civic, nor did we think it wise for taxpayers to be asked to pay for such a project. The Civic would have to be financially self-sufficient, and optimally it should create a future revenue stream for the City.

Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Victor Fresco

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
46 David Yakobson
From: Susan Cope <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 10:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

Dear Council Members,
We are all squeaky wheels when it comes to what's wrong with Santa Monica. Here we have the opportunity to do something to help right the ship. Partnering with RPG seems to be a win-win.

Driving to cultural venues in town is a time-sucking, resource wasting and exhausting activity. The idea that many of us could WALK to world class concerts and cultural events is phenomenal. This would be a boon to Santa Monica residents, a draw for tourists, and an opportunity to burnish our image. It would also be a step toward reviving the 3rd Street Promenade, since visitors to the Civic may wish to dine in the area.

Please lend your voices and influence to saving the Civic. What a chance to be remembered for something so uplifting, to balance the efforts of housing the unhoused, getting aid for the mentally ill, and attempting to control crime, gangs and mayhem!
Sincerely,
Susan Cope
[email protected]
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
47 David Yakobson
From: danilobach <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 10:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 4D - May 28, 2024

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
As a long-time resident of Santa Monica who benefited from the many offerings of the Civic Center to our city and larger surroundings in the Civic's heyday, I urge you to enter into negotiations now being considered for its lease, renewal, and return to valued public prominence.

Best,
Danilo Bach
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
48 David Yakobson
From: Arianna D <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D...Save The Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers.

I am writing you to express my dismay and disgust that you would even consider our beloved Civic and the surrounding property as "surplus land" and entertain the notion of selling it to a developer.

The land on which the Civic sits is Public land. We do not wish to see that change! Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

City owned performing arts centers are rare and important. Citizens of Santa Monica and throughout the greater Los Angeles area have cherished memories of attending all manner of events at the Civic.

On May 28, 2024 our City council has an unparalleled opportunity to enter into negotiations with RPG (Revitalization Partners Group, LLC) to restore and reopen our Civic Auditorium as a destination performing arts and cultural center for Los Angeles and the Westside. Santa Monica residents will continue to own the Civic. Once the Civic reopens, there will be many opportunities for events to locate (and re-locate) to the venue, thereby creating good opportunity for future revenue streams for the City.

RPG is an experienced entertainment consortium, and will not need any public funds.

Residents have worked diligently to make this happen.

Please say yes to this terrific opportunity for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
49 landmark and turn it into a world-class performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

Please enter negotiations without delay with RPG to restore the landmark building that is our Santa Monica Civic.

Sincerely,
Arianna Deleon
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
50 David Yakobson
From: Chrissi Durbin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: SAVE CIVIC PLEASE

EXTERNAL
Please realize CIVIC is classic & cant be replaced Thank you Sent from my iPhone
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
51 David Yakobson
From: Lauren Marie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
52 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you,
Lauren Wyka
821 Bay St.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
53 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: civic aud item 4b couple agenda for May 28 2024

EXTERNAL
please save the civic to be reopened to the public.

Mitchell Lachman
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
54 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Civic

EXTERNAL
Hello, consider to reopen the Civic Auditorium to the vested interest party yet city owned.

Mitchell Lachman
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
55 David Yakobson
From: Steven Dye <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:27 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the civic May 28, 2024 Agenda 4D.

EXTERNAL
Please do the right thing , Save the civic for Santa Monica . Agenda 4D Thank you
Steven Dye
Santa Monica resident since 1958
310-795-8883
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
56 David Yakobson
From: GARY <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: RPG Civic Center agreement

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I've lived in Santa Monica since 1975 and have seen many changes in our community over the past decades.

I ask you to move forward with this RPG agreement as it truly seems to be the best way to save and maintain our Santa Monica Civic Center.

Thanks,
Gary Gurner
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
57 David Yakobson
From: Ann Thornycroft <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:23 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the Cityowned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
58 Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Yours Faithfully ,
Ann Thornycroft
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
59 David Yakobson
From: Mark Sandelson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2024 9:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Save the Civic

EXTERNAL
Great moments at the civic – Goldenvoice 25th anniversary concert weekend and annual Santa Monica HS recital. Why would this resource that benefits all the citizenry be removed. It is a public institution and should be savored and cherished as such. It is a landmark and you now have a fabulous opportunity to save it and return it to use as it was designed to be
Thanking you for your consideration
Mark Sandelson
328 21st St
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
60 David Yakobson
From: Save the Civic <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2024 6:21 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: May 28, 2024 Agenda Item 4D

EXTERNAL
Can't see this message? View in a browser
Save the Civic
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Dear Council Member,

Save the Civic (STC) was formed after an outpouring of resident concern that the City-owned Civic Auditorium had been declared surplus land, enabling its possible sale.

Save the Civic had three guiding principles:
1) Public land should not be privatized; neither the Civic nor the land around it should be sold to a private entity.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
61 2) This landmark building should be preserved, not demolished.

3) City-owned performing arts centers are rare and important; the Civic should not be repurposed but restored for its original purpose as a performing arts and cultural center.

Now you have an exceptional opportunity to enter into an ENA with RPG, a group that checks all of these boxes.

This opportunity comes to you after hard work from residents to make it happen. It is also a chance for the City and residents to work together to create something wonderful and exciting - - a chance to restore a vacant and respected landmark and turn it into a world-class performing arts and cultural center and an economic generator.

From where we sit, it’s a win-win.

We hope you will vote to enter into an ENA with the Revitalization Partners Group so we can keep this exciting prospect for Santa Monica moving forward.

Thank you from Save the Civic,
Bea Nemlaha
Diana Gordon
Lori Nafshun
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
62 Victor Fresco

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Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
63 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2024 4:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject: FOSP: City Council 5-28-24 item 4-D -- SUPPORT -- Save the Civic Auditorium

EXTERNAL
May 26, 2024

To: Mayor Brock and City Council members
From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park
RE: 5/28/24 agenda item 4-D -- Save the Civic Auditorium The Board of Friends of Sunset Park SUPPORTS agenda item 4-D and urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

The Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) stepped forward with a plan for a revitalized Civic Auditorium and presented it at a recent Neighborhood Council meeting.

The next step is for the City Council to decide whether to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Again, the Board of Friends of Sunset Park supports agenda item $-D and urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
64 David Yakobson
From: Noma Boardmember <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2024 11:31 PM
To: Jesse Zwick; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Caroline Torosis
Cc: Bruce Leddy
Subject: Civic Auditorium/RPG
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

May 17th, 2024
TO: Mayor Brock and City Council Members
FROM: The Board of NOMA
RE: The Civic Auditorium/RPG
The Board of NOMA urges City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Revitalization Partners Group for the renovation and operation of the Civic Auditorium. This highly qualified group – with extensive experience in both venue rehabilitation and concert promotion – is the ideal partner for the city on this ambitious project. With their careful planning and execution, Santa Monica will once again have a world-class arts and entertainment venue, helping to revitalize downtown and furthering our city's reputation as a renowned center for arts and culture. Remarkably, their proposal will achieve all this at no cost to the city or taxpayers.

This rare chance to save a beloved and historic Landmarked building and return it to its former glory through the efforts of an eminently qualified group should be a 'no brainer.' Please don't miss this golden opportunity.

Sincerely,
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
65 The Board of Noma
Bruce Leddy, Chair
NOMA'S Next Meeting is JUNE 6TH at 7PM on ZOOM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81526517066
smnoma.org
[email protected]
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
66 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2024 6:24 PM
To: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject: FOSP: Saving the Civic Auditorium
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
May 20, 2024
To: Mayor Brock and City Council members
From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park
RE: Saving the Civic Auditorium

The Board of Friends of Sunset Park urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

The Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) stepped forward with a plan for a revitalized Civic Auditorium and presented it at a recent Neighborhood Council meeting.

The next step is for the City Council to decide whether to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Again, the Board of Friends of Sunset Park urges the City Council to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group.

Item 4-D
May 28, 2024
Item 4-D
May 28, 2024

Santa Monica City CouncilMay 28, 2024

Santa Monica City Council
May 28, 2024