Last week, the final Environmental Impact Report for the Whole Foods and the Park project was published. The document is as thorough as it is long, but basically concludes that this is a low scale, low impact, environmentally sensitive project that will benefit Malibu. Does this mean we are getting close to having this become a reality and not just another proposed project that will never be built? I certainly hope so, but unfortunately I know this town better.
Reviewing this report, one wonders what is not to like? We are ecstatic to finally have a Whole Foods in Malibu. No more driving to Santa Monica! Best of all — and common sense will tell you — no one will be driving from outside of Malibu to shop at our little Whole Foods. And by little, I mean it’s going to be less than half the size of the Venice location, which is where I often go. So, what does this mean? It means local residents get a project that will serve local residents. A market for us. A park for us. Â
We get custom gardens, a playground and a park where you can actually play, eat and congregate (unlike Legacy Park, which is more suited for reptiles and insects.) One hundred sixty new trees? I’m not even sure there is currently that many trees in the entire Civic Center combined. Â
But maybe most importantly, the project is set to pay for improvements to some of our most dangerous intersections along PCH. Improvements that will help fix severely substandard road configurations. Improvements that would otherwise be too costly for Caltrans or the City. Â
We have been hearing about a Whole Foods in Malibu for so many years now. I am hoping the publication of this report means it’s coming sooner rather than later.
Amy Cohen