I have read last week’s editorial about property owners willing to sell their Civic Center property. It is likely that you have accurately reported what you heard from the city, but I would like to put these matters in context to avoid unrealistic expectations. These comments are solely from the perspective of Wave Property, Inc., though I expect some are shared by Mr. Yamaguchi.
Over the past several years that WPI has owned these properties, we have been asked numerous times if our land is for sale. Our response has consistently been multi-faceted, as follows: First, we have indicated our agreement with and encouragement of the efforts toward raising public money to acquire land for community needs. That is a much superior way to meet community needs than to acquire property through political power. How much more attractive would our coastline be if the state and county had had the foresight to buy ocean frontage decades ago? We still have the opportunity to make limited acquisitions in our community.
Second, we have always responded that, for a price that is fair and reflective of our costs, we would be willing to sell the property. We have made it abundantly clear, however, that we are not interested in entering into any negotiations which commit WPI to sell the property at appraised value after taking into consideration the extensive downzoning and limitations imposed on the properties in recent years. Nonetheless, if WPI were offered a high enough price, it would get our attention.
Third, we have responded that we believe there are other properties which are better suited to the city’s needs and on which it should concentrate its acquisition efforts. However, we recognize that this is a matter of judgment on which reasonable people might disagree.
Fourth, we are most desirous of constructing a community-serving senior housing project on our properties. There are numerous local benefits which would result, including providing a place for seniors to live conveniently, safely, with essential services, and less expensively in the community they have loved and served; providing housing for parents of our local citizens; providing a senior recreation and social center at little or no cost to the community; providing and/or participating in the creation of a state-of-the-art medical center for Malibu; and doing all of this at less impact on the environment, traffic, wastewater, etc. than would be the case with other uses currently allowed under the General Plan. Thus, does it make sense for this project to be sacrificed for the community land needs, or should the City be seeking the replacement of a higher impact project?
Regarding the editorial and the more extensive news article in the other local paper, it is inaccurate for anyone to state or imply that this landowner has “offered” to sell any land to the city or other agency. I have not heard or read the mayor’s report, but would be surprised and disappointed if he characterized our discussions in that fashion. All of the discussions regarding sale of land have been initiated by the City, and at no time have we made an offer or proposal to the city.
I hope the community will let its voice be heard on the thoughts expressed above. It would be our privilege to meet with any community groups who might like to be better informed about what we propose to build on our properties. Our goal is to provide a facility that will be a blessing and a service to this community now and for the foreseeable future.
Thanks for listening.
Mike E. O’Neal, President
Wave Property, Inc.