It is of continued concern to Malibu citizens that our local Chamber of Commerce seems to speak primarily as a mouthpiece for commercial developers in our city. Citizens can easily have every false and misleading assertion made against the balanced and sane city planning attacked in the Chamber’s letter. Cities across the country successfully utilize these planning ideas with tremendous success. And still, Chamber president Gronwald makes dramatic predictions such as “vacancies and a financially weakened local economy.”
If our chamber personnel were doing their homework, instead of working so hard to promote fear and discord within our community using flagrantly untrue statements, they would know the facts. We have spoken to experts and representatives from a dozen cities with similar plans. Not one has experienced increased vacancies, higher rents or a weakened economy.
The Chamber writes that Cross Creek retail is already at a high 38 percent of chains. If a chain is defined as a business with 10 plus locations, our data shows 43 percent, if the criteria is five-plus locations, it shoots Cross Creek up to being 60 percent chains. Once again chamber numbers do not add up. Past requests to view their lists have remained unanswered. The Chamber then attempts to sell the notion that chains bring lower prices yet numbers show Cross Creek centers are now approximately 84 percent solely clothing and accessories with 96 percent of those rated as ultra high-end expensive. Formula cookie cutter stores are replacing the small, more affordable independent stores that locals once shopped at and that created for Malibu a uniquely inviting beach community.
This Chamber, primarily made up of members who do not live in Malibu, including Mr. Gronwald, does not represent the majority of Malibu citizens and has no authority to dictate what is acceptable for our city. Yet, Gronwald writes, “The Chamber concludes that the current tenant mix in the city is appropriate and already favors local businesses.”
We Malibu citizens, along with 800-plus signatures, conclude that the current mix is not appropriate and is not the direction residents want for the future of Malibu, nor does it favor the few local businesses left hanging on. When a developer comes into our town to do business, it is imperative that the rural character of Malibu and the needs of the residents be of primary importance, not treated as their main obstacle to maneuver around. City Council and city staff, we hope that you are listening.
Carla McCloskey, Cindy Vandor, Jae Flora-Kata, Kathy Sullivan and Susan Stiffelman