Recently I was approached by several of my good friends and customers about giving my support for Measure M. Initially, it sounded like a good idea, and I said sure I’ll support anything that is good for Malibu. After all who wouldn’t support a park for the Civic Center? I have lived and worked in Malibu for over 30 years and have seen it change from a quiet little beach town into what it is today: a busy little beach town. One thing that I have learned over the years is that things rarely are what they appear to be in Malibu politics, so I decided to check it out myself.
After trying to figure out the development agreement and asking a lot of questions, I was shocked at some of the information I found. I found out that the “park” was really a 30,000 sq. ft. sewage treatment plant with acres of spray fields and wastewater ponds. I found out that sewers would be installed all over the civic center area allowing massive development by other developers. I found out that there is no guarantee of a park and that unless the city comes up with $25 million (almost $2,000 from every man, woman and child in Malibu) within three years the Chili Cook-off site will be developed as a shopping center much bigger than the Ralph’s center. I found out that the traffic study done for the deal predicted gridlock at most of our intersections. I found out that the promised Urgent Care center is not a gift but rather only the promise to rent the space for one at market rates. I found out that the Point Dume shopping center that is to be built has an access problem that has not been studied and potentially could make traffic on Point Dume rival the Civic Center. I urge everyone to get the facts and vote “no.”
Sherman Baylin
Malibu