1 David Yakobson
From: Save the Civic <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2026 11:39 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Update on Civic Auditorium
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
EXTERNAL
Save the Civic
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
July 13, 2026
Dear Friend of the Civic,
Last October, our City Council voted 4-3 not to extend negotiations with RPG, the group of concert promoters seeking to lease, restore and operate a new Santa Monica Civic Auditorium as a performing arts venue.
Over the last nine months, RPG has continued its due diligence but has now concluded it is not in its best interest to move forward. Accordingly, it is our understanding that it is withdrawing from further consideration.
We have noted that this Tuesday, July 14, the City Council will meet in closed session with representatives from Goldenvoice and AEG Presents, two leading concert and music festival promoters.
RPG had proposed, and drawn up plans for, a world-class concert venue that would be owned by the City, but at no cost to the City or its Item 5-E
July 14, 2026
Item 5-E
July 14, 2026
2 taxpayers. We’re sorry to see them withdraw. We hope these new negotiations will prove more successful, and we will keep you updated as we learn more.
Save the Civic Steering Committee
https://www.savethecivic.org
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.
.
[email protected] Check out our site
This email was sent from this site.
If you no longer wish to receive this email, change your email preferences here.
Item 5-E
July 14, 2026
Item 5-E
July 14, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: Karen Melick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2026 10:38 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Oliver Chi; Heidi von Tongeln Subject: Agenda item 5.E Negotiations regarding Civic Auditorium
EXTERNAL
Hello,
Closed session item 5.E is a conference for real estate negotiations regarding price and terms of payment regarding the Civic Auditorium between the City and Goldenvoice and AEG Presents.
I hope this is good news regarding revitalizing the Civic Auditorium but the promised transparency, engagement and open dialogue regarding this project is not happening.
9 months ago, the City Council voted to not extend the ENA with RPG for 6 months for a proposal for the Civic Auditorium. Right after that the City updated the Civic Auditorium Exclusive Negotiating Agreement FAQ webpage. Under “What happens now?” it says:
“The city’s next step will be to commission an updated “highest and best use” study to analyze the current market and financial data in order to help inform building and site opportunities.
Throughout this process, the city will continue to engage residents, preservation group and arts organizations in an open dialogue.”
This promised engagement and dialogue has not happened in the last 9 months. There has been no information given to residents and preservation groups. In April, the Recreation and Parks Commission, pursuant to the groups City Charter directive regarding music and entertainment, requested a city update on the Civic Auditorium. The City’s reply said “the City is not in a position to provide a meaningful update at this time. The Leadership Team will be happy to share next steps and provide a more comprehensive update once additional information is available.” Was this because not much was done during the 6 months? If the RPG ENA had been extended, we would have had a proposal by then.
With this closed session negotiation with Goldenvoice and AEG, something is going on but with no engagement or dialogue.
Please follow what was said would happen and engage and talk with the constituents regarding efforts for the Civic Auditorium instead of coming up with a backroom deal.
Thank you.
Karen Melick
Sunset Park
Item 5-E
July 14, 2026
Item 5-E
July 14, 2026