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Sharks boys volleyball hosts Finnish coaches, dines on acai, and wins

Sports

McKenzie Jackson

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April 11, 2025

Sharks boys volleyball hosts Finnish coaches, dines on acai, and wins

MHS remains undefeated in league as it goes for second straight Citrus Coast championship

A group of volleyball coaches from Finland’s national team watched the Malibu High boys volleyball team practice on March 28.

The Scandinavian delegation’s stop at the Malibu High gym was part of their tour throughout the U.S. in which they are shadowing college, club, and high school volleyball coaches, said Sharks head coach Derek Saenz.

“They want to see what they can potentially incorporate into their national team pipeline system,” he said. “They observed and shadowed me. They were super cool people.”

2025 Sharks Boys Volleyball by McKenizie Jackson 2 2 — Malibu High boys water polo coach Derek Saenz is shown with one of the Finnish national team coaches who shadowed him for a practice.

The visit was another high note in a season of several wins for Malibu. The squad had a 14-7 overall record and 6-0 record in the Citrus Coast League heading into their match against league opponent Carpinteria on Tuesday. The Sharks are trying to go undefeated in the league en route to a league championship for the second season in a row.

Malibu, Saenz noted, is a talented group.

“It depends on how hard we work and how consistent we are,” he said. “We’ve had great players in the past, but this season we have backups to every position.”

Malibu was on a three-match winning streak at press time. Their last loss was on March 21 against Granada Hills Charter, Saenz’s alma mater.

Martin Kurial, the Sharks’ 6-foot-5 outside hitter, starred during the 3-0 loss though.

“He put up great numbers in terms of hitting efficiency and blocking,” Saenz said.

The match was the first time Saenz, a former Granada Hills player, had coached against his alma mater. He coached at the school for a few seasons after he graduated high school in 2000 and with Granada Hill’s club team after that. Saenz coached Zoe Fleck, a libero on the U.S. Women’s National Team and professional volleyball player, for a time with the program.

After the match, the Malibu squad and some parents visited Sunberry Acai, a restaurant owned by Fleck’s mother, Eve Fleck. The Sharks dined on acai bowls and Fleck spoke with them about her daughter’s volleyball journey which included winning a national championship with the University of Texas in 2022

Saenz hopes the discussion with Fleck helped the Sharks realize they have all the resources they need to be successful in volleyball.

“It gave them a clear picture,” he said. “I really hope talking with Eve helped take away any type of worry or doubt. They don’t have to worry. They just must go do it.”

Malibu has only lost one set in league. They play the team that won that set, Channel Islands, on Thursday. The Sharks also play in a tournament at Chatsworth before playing Biship Diego on April 10. The squad closes the regular with games against Nordoff, Hueneme, and Venice, one of the top teams in Los Angeles.

Many of Malibu’s players play club volleyball with Venice’s players, so they are looking forward to that matchup before CIF playoffs begin.

“Playing against a team like Venice in front of the playoffs is important,” he said.

2025 Sharks Boys Volleyball by McKenizie Jackson 1 — The Malibu High boys volleyball team is shown with Eve Fleck at her açaí bowl restaurant. Fleck’s daughter, Zoe, is on the U.S. national team and Eve talked to the team about her daughter’s success in volleyball.

Mother Nature trumped Lady Luck this time

Barbara Burke

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April 11, 2025

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Mother Nature trumped Lady Luck this time

Victoria Franklin Dillon shares her challenges and hopes as she and her family try to rebuild

The matriarch of a family who has lived in its Malibu home for more than seven decades resolutely stands, a statuesque picture of valiant strength who is tormented by worry and uncertainty. Her expression evinces an unenviable combination of resignation and just a glimmer of optimism as she acknowledges that Lady Luck — aided by herculean efforts exerted by herself and relatives — has helped to save the family’s home above Pacific Coast Highway many times as wildfires literally scorched the property’s trees and landscapes stopping just short of destroying the family home.

Not so in the Palisades Fire, unfortunately. Indeed, Victoria Franklin Dillon shares a harrowing tale about how she barely got out alive during the latest and largest inferno to assault Malibu. “I had to cut part of a felled tree with a chainsaw in order to free my truck to escape from the oncoming wildfire,” Victoria recounts in a tone that reveals that she is still strongly affected by just how close a call she experienced.

Victoria well knows that rebuilding the home will be a much more herculean task. She knows that, like many Palisades Fire victims, she has extremely difficult decisions to make: Should she and the family stay and rebuild or sell and bid adieu to Malibu or do something in between? Should she acquiesce in the Army Corps of Engineers’ plans to cut down a row of eucalyptus trees that have stood adjacent to the home for 70 years and are marked for governmental crucifixion in the next few days or weeks? Or should she protest killing the trees which, even as we gather on her inferno-decimated parcel, are beginning to bloom with new life and clearly help to hold a slope in place? Should she pay a structural engineer to evaluate whether a retaining wall can be repaired or whether it must be replaced? Should she pay a geotechnical expert to evaluate whether the road and bridge leading up to her home — over which she only has an access easement — can be widened to the satisfaction of the Fire Department and the current Code requirements and whether the ground is stable enough to build? Should she consider paying for architectural plans and if so, when?

The decisions that Victoria must make are innumerable: What to do first? Who to trust? How to pay for all that needs to be done? Such questions tear at her very soul. There are so many “what ifs” and “shoulds” ahead for Victoria and her family as there are for many in Malibu and Pacific Palisades. One who loses a home to wildfire finds it hard to take it all in, to clear one’s mind, to make the best decisions.

A Malibu local struggles to stay in Malibu

“I’m the Victoria that Victoria Point in Lechuza Beach is named for!” Victoria shares, managing a smile despite the current tragic circumstances that led to her standing amidst the ashes of her home, a home where she and her sister were raised, and where her and her sister’s children grew up; a home where their clan enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving feast just months ago, as they had for decades; and a home where Victoria and her daughter have created lovely art for decades.“Roxanne Beach Road was in the Broad Beach area and was named after my sister. Dad was the first to put a sewer system in the Broad Beach area,” she said.

It’s hard to get more local than that.

“My family has been in Malibu since the 1950s,” Victoria continues, noting that even considering the possibility of not living in Malibu anymore is excruciating for her and her sister who share ownership of the home. “My dad owned a home in the Colony in the 1960s and he built this home that just burned down as a spec home — it was made of wood and glass and was designed by the illustrious architect Bill Beckett.” Victoria hopes the home can be built again exactly as Beckett built it because it was, she reverently says, “a work of art.”

Like many Palisades Fire victims, Victoria is underinsured. She needs advice — wise counsel from one without pecuniary motives — and quickly. Like many fire victims, Victoria needs to decide whether to hang in there and pursue rebuilding or make decisions concerning whether to consider selling and, if so, when to do so.

What it will take to rebuild the home

The city’s team of staff and consultants at the Rebuild Center were, Victoria notes, “so very kind.” However, she concedes that, “the building codes are the building codes and their provisions are mandatory,” that is, they cannot be excused, no matter how equitable it might be in a given situation to afford some flexibility to a long-term Malibuite.

If one is underinsured, the costs of rebuilding a fire-burned home is daunting. Victoria and her family not only have to go through the arduous process of complying with all the California Building Code’s requirements, the Los Angeles Building Code and Malibu’s Building Code mandates in order to construct a residence and ultimately, to get a certificate of occupancy. That possibly includes putting in a new septic tank, although Victoria is quick to note that “the septic was working just fine on the day of the fire.” The family also has to deal with reconstructing the road and a bridge, property they have an easement for, but do not own, a fact that may complicate their rebuild. At the City Rebuilding Center, a fire department official told Victoria there must be space for a fire truck to turn around and there must be a fire hydrant supported by a water line that would provide sufficient water to fight a fire.

Then, there’s the fact that the parcel is near a landslide. Indeed, a home that Victoria’s father built many years ago on a property adjacent to Victoria’s lot was destroyed by a slide event several decades ago. LA County Building Code Section 110.2.3.6 and other applicable laws set forth many provisions imposing restrictions on any replacement structure in a landslide area. That necessitates Victoria and her family obtaining geotechnical reports provided by a California-licensed geotechnical engineer or a California-licensed geologist.

Every separate applicable Code requirement — whether city, county, or state — requires evaluations, reports and other conditions precedent to successfully getting the required government authorization to rebuild a new home.

Lacking the acumen, aptitude, and experience of professionals who can conduct such studies and author such reports, and lacking in massive amounts of money, Victoria and her family must find their way, and it is unclear whether they will be victorious in rebuilding. Victoria’s is only one of hundreds of families struggling with all of these realities.

2025 Victoria Franklin Dillon IMG 3245 — The home and patio of Victoria Franklin Dillon is shown in a photo taken before the home was lost the Palisades Fire.

2025 Victoria Franklin Dillon IMG 3222 — The home and patio of Victoria Franklin Dillon is shown in a photo taken before the home was lost the Palisades Fire.

Community Spotlight: California Wildlife Center

Community Cares

The Malibu Times

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April 11, 2025

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Community Spotlight: California Wildlife Center

If you’ve spent time on Malibu’s beaches, you know that many are rocky, sitting at the bottom of high bluffs. Getting an animal off the beach can be punishingly difficult; even more so when that animal is over 300 pounds like this male California Sea Lion!

Great job to the California Wildlife Team!

Community comes together at first-ever RAD Night

Hayley Mattson

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April 11, 2025

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Community comes together at first-ever RAD Night

‘Respect All Differences’ event unites Malibu at Aviator Nation after devastating fires

Amidst the aftermath of devastating loss, a movement was born. Last weekend at Aviator Nation in Malibu, localresidents gathered for a night of healing, unity, and purpose at the inaugural RAD Night, hosted and organized by Buckley Ventress, founder of the RAD Collective, which stands for “Respect All Differences.” The event brought together neighbors, advocates, and local organizations for an evening of music, conversation, and community empowerment following the Palisades Fire that destroyed over 300 homes in Malibu — including Ventress’s father’s home — on Jan. 7.

“I started the RAD Collective last year as a way to bring people together,” Ventress shared. “Our first event was at my dad’s home on Las Tunas Beach, and that home — just like hundreds of others — was lost in the fire. Afterward, families were scattered between Santa Monica and the Valley. It felt like we were all displaced, not just physically, but emotionally. City Council meetings can be intense, and I wanted to create a safe, comfortable space where people could connect, share, and support one another.”

And that’s exactly what happened.

RAD Night featured a powerful panel of grassroots community activists, including Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, Jo Drummond (who leads efforts in Eastern Malibu and Big Rock), Keegan Gibbs, Andy Lyon, and City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad, each lending their voice to the issues impacting Malibu’s future — from rebuilding and small business support to community resilience and connection.

“The focus of the evening was to give people a clearer picture of what we can do together,” Ventress said. “Rather than an open Q&A, which can get chaotic with over 200 attendees, the panel spoke directly to the audience. The overall message was clear: what is the future of Malibu, and how do we preserve our sense of community as we rebuild?”

While the speaking portion was just 30 minutes, the conversation didn’t end there. Outside the venue, Ventress created an“art and activation zone” where local organizations hosted booths, offered resources, and engaged attendees in one-on-one conversations. The Malibu Township Council, Palisades-Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Malibu Foundation, and Community Brigade all participated, with advocates like Bill Sampson and Denise DeGarmo, community outreach coordinator for the Malibu Foundation, present to answer questions and offer guidance.

Each organization reported gaining new members and deepening connections within the community.

One of the most touching moments of the evening came from long-time community advocate Andy Lyon, who shared, “I didn’t have a lot of hope before this event — but now I do, thanks to Buckley.” The emotional sentiment captured the spirit of the night, and reminded many that, even in the face of loss, hope can take root.

The event was held at Aviator Nation, which generously donated the space. “They’ve hosted community events before, like for Community Brigade,” Ventress said. “I wanted them to keep every penny from food and beverage sales because, like all of us, they’re a business trying to survive right now.”

While organizing the entire event, Ventress was living in Idaho — where he had temporarily relocated after the fire. “I was working in a ski shack with barely any Wi-Fi, just calling every Malibu person I know,” he laughed. “But it turned into something powerful.”

The motivation for RAD Night was deeply personal. “My dad had lived in that Las Tunas home for over 40 years,” Ventress said. “It was one of the oldest on the beach — built in 1927, once owned by Greta Garbo. Losing it was devastating. My dad had just had a baby one month before the fire. Now they’re in a tiny apartment in Santa Monica, juggling Zoom calls and uncertainty.”

That feeling of isolation and frustration inspired Ventress to build a better outlet for communication. “I saw my dad try to ask questions at a city meeting about seawalls and get booed,” he said. “He’d just lost his home. I didn’t want anyone else to feel like that again.”

Looking ahead, Ventress hopes to host RAD Night events monthly or quarterly. “There’s a huge opportunity here — not just to get answers, but to unify,” he said. “East Malibu, West Malibu, it doesn’t matter. We’re all Malibu. My hope is that these events can bring the hometown activists together in one voice — so that when we go to City Council, we’re not divided, we’re aligned.”

The overwhelmingly positive feedback has already started to shape plans for the next event. “Jo Drummond texted me that she wants to do it again. Haylynn said it was killer. That kind of response is what keeps this going,” Ventress said.

More than just a gathering, RAD Night was a movement in motion — a call to action for connection, support, and progress. “Respect All Differences,” Ventress repeated. “That’s what it’s all about. We need each other. And we’re going to keep doing this — because Malibu is worth it.”

For those who missed the event, keep an eye out for announcements about future RAD Collective events. In times of rebuilding, connection is key — and as this night proved, Malibu is strongest when it stands together.

Everyone got in on the act!

Barbara Burke

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April 11, 2025

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Webster Elementary students and teachers strut their stuff in the school’s annual talent show

As one arrived at the show, they first enjoyed a beautiful program, featuring the art of Della Cummings and Brooklyn Buckman, two third-graders whose art on the program’s cover illustrates their creative talents.

Brody Carpenter, 10, a fourth-grader, and his sister, Lily Carpenter, 9, a third-grader, participated in the Webster students’talent show: Lily danced with her best friend and Brody was a backup dancer to his friend’s act as well as serving as part of the backstage crew for the fourth year.

“It really felt good to be a part of the show and it was so fun being on the backstage crew again!” Brody said.

Samantha Carpenter, the mother of Brody and Lily, coordinated with Lauren Buckman to provide the decor for the show.“The Webster talent show has been a staple of the school year and the kids all work so hard to prepare for it,” Samantha said. “They give it their all and the show is always such a great presentation of the various talents within our school community — this year was no different!”

The Red Dog DJ’s, otherwise known as Cruz Ifft and Wyatt Teague, TK and kindergarten students, respectively, began the fun performance. Next, Knox Swain, a kindergartner, wowed the crowd with his rendition of “Welcome to the Black Parade.”

“We noticed Knox had a talent for music as he would pick up songs by ear as he listened to them in the car,” said Justin Swain, Knox’ father. “He got up there after teaching himself ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ and he performed it on the piano and sang.” Doing so, Justin noted, was very brave for one so young.

The show must go on!

Justin’s takeaway about the event included something else that was very important and addressed the creative and supportive energy that vibrated through the show.

“The overall thing about the talent show is that there was an amazing sense of community, especially given all we have been through in our area recently,” he said. “It was so touching to see all the families, and especially the kids as they were backstage — there was such a wonderful sense of community as we were all going it together as kids were supporting one another, telling other performers, ‘You’re gonna do great!’ and ‘You’re awesome.’”

There were 21 acts in all, with each entertaining rendition demonstrating just how awesome all the student performers were. Intriguingly, the fifth-graders interviewed their peer Dylan Alterman, whose art appeared on the back page of the program — what a wonderful way to celebrate a classmate!

However, per the school’s usual tradition, the kids were not the only ones struttin’ their stuff and showing their talent. The teachers surprised all of the students at the morning presentation of the show. They got together, led by Webster Principal Carina Diana, and performed a flash mob style routine to “Car Wash.”

“It was really funny and I was so surprised when the teachers did their show because we all thought the show was over,” Samantha exclaimed. “The bubbles were awesome!”

So, in the end, as performers had predicted when supporting one another before the show — all of them did great and allwere awesome!

Fire Sale: Debris Removal Part 4

Malibu Fires

Benjamin Marcus

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April 10, 2025

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Spring has sprung, the wind is blowing fresh from the northwest, dolphins are jumping, and the mustard grass is high. Refreshingly, the hills and dales of Malibu that were scorched to blackness by the Broad, Franklin, and Palisades Fires are now greening up nicely. Malibu and Palisades are still chaotic, but like the spring greening, some signs of normalcy are crawling from the wreckage.

Like real estate sales, in this list below, there is one “burnout” Carbon Beach property that has already sold for what some consider a bargain. We will continue to track real estate sales along with lots cleared, lots that haven’t opted in or opted out, and other numbers that show the evolution and progression of the cleaning up and reconstruction of Malibu.

These numbers were collected from Katy Macek at Caltrans, Matt Myerhoff for the City of Malibu, Erin Jimenez from the USACE, Brandi Richard Thompson for FEMA, Kent Winter from the Malibu Association of Realtors and various speakers on either side of the dias at the California Department of Insurance — Insurance Town Hall on April 2.

And other sources who wish to remain Anonymous.

We also pulled some numbers from two articles by Snejana Farberov on realtor.com: “L.A. Has Approved 4 Permits To Rebuild in Pacific Palisades After Wildfires—” from March 26 and ‘I Secured One of the First Permits To Rebuild After the L.A. Wildfires—but My Neighborhood Now Looks Like a Horror Film Set’ from April 4.

The Public Affairs Officer for the US Army Corps of Engineers Erin Jimenez came through with all the numbers we requested about trucks and opting in/out – except for Pounds of Lithium Ion batteries salvaged, encased, bathed in salt water for three days, bulldozed and dumped in Utah: “EPA was the main agency that handled all electric vehicles and battery packs.”

When asked, “What is all the sound and fury up Temescal?” Jimenez answered: “Concrete is cleaned and crushed into a smaller grade aggregate, ultimately going back into California’s construction supply system. Metal debris is separated, cleaned and bailed, then sent to recycling facilities for reuse.”

And she added: “We completed debris removal at the three schools in the City of Los Angeles we were given mission assignments for, and they were completed ahead of schedule: Marquez Charter Elementary School, Palisades Charter Elementary School, Palisades Charter High School.”

Around noon on Sunday April 6. Haylynn Conrad lightening up PCH and all the way into Palisades. There were some cleared lots along PCH and some being cleared. There were other lots in the Palisades tagged as COMPLETE. So there are signs of progress, but there’s still way more chaos than clearance. Every day, there are more than a thousand full-laden trucks rumbling down PCH and out on Malibu Canyon Road.

Spring has sprung, and summer is coming, but to quote Elton John: “I think it’s gonna be a long, long time.”

BY THE NUMBERS

0 – 5: Feet of defensible space suggested by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

2-4%: Increase in market share of FAIR plan “over the last couple of years,” according ro Rob Obedoza from the California Department of Insurance. “And possibly even larger as some of those home insurance options have dried up.”

5 – 10%: FAIR Plan “Home Hardening” discounts: 5% for Protecting the Immediate Surroundings and 10% for Protecting the Structure. Applied to the Wildfire portion of the premium. Also a 10% discount for being part of a Firewise Community.

7: Days after a disaster is considered closed a pu,blic insurance adjuster can contact you to be a paid agent. Once a contract is signed, you have three days to cancel it.

7: According to the Anonymous And Coping Homeowner: It took 7 days and $79,000 – paid by FAIR Plan – for a private company to clear a 2300 square foot home from a property “in the hills. There were three guys and one bulldozer and one truck a day to pick up debris,” The AACH said, “It’s great to get property cleared and ready to move forward but the obstacles that lay ahead to rebuild seem daunting. I have no idea if the city is able to handle the volume, let alone the complexity of this unprecedented situation.

My instinct is to build a small ADU to get myself back on the land and then assess exactly how difficult and howexpensive it will be to rebuild my home . But even the idea of getting an ADU temporarily suddenly seems like it could be complicated.”

7 – 10 years: “[Gary] Lionelli estimates that it will be seven to 10 years before the Pacific Palisades is fully restored to its pre-fire state” according to that story in realtor.com. “It’s going to be seven to 10 years before it really looks like nothing happened,” he says. “Anybody who’s ever built a house, and I put myself in that category now, knows that whatever timeline somebody tells you, you have to double it and then some, and then you have to double the amount of money, or at least make it 50% more than what you thought it was going to be.”

On a more positive note, Lionelli says he is convinced that there will come a time when the January wildfires will “just be something that happened in history.” Instead of crows and black-and-white fields of debris in the Palisades, there will be birdsong and bright colors all around again.

“You won’t even have any indication or any remnants of the fire,” he says.

10 – 30%: The range that public adjusters usually charge, according to Laurie Kolb – an actuary who spoke at the Insurance Town Hall.

15: Palisades Fire burnout lots in Malibu on the market according to Kent Winter: “Currently there are 15 burnout lots which have sold and are for sale in Malibu at the moment. Twelve are for sale, two are in escrow and one has already sold (see below at $5,000,000.

There have been a few more lots listed… but some are from the ’93 fire, or just recently developed and listed. Additionally, there are some in Sunset Mesa which have been listed as being in the Palisades…

And if you are interested… here are the numbers for the Palisades: 132 are for sale, 12 are in escrow and 13 have been sold.”

32: Malibu lots that haven’t opted in or out for USACE or private debris clearance, according to Erin Jimenez.

44: Number of pages of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Manual: Siting, Design, Installation, and Operation Guidelines. Published by the City of Malibu on July 23, 2018

50: Five-day average of lots cleared per day in Palisades/Malibu by USACE from March 31 to April 4.

56: Most lots cleared in one day in Palisades/Malibu by the USACE.

72/135: According to realtor.com for March 26, regarding Pacific Palisades: “As of last week, 72 owners had submitted rebuilding applications to the city, and another 135 to the L.A. County Department of Public Works for rebuilding in unincorporated areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.”

155: From Matt Myerhoff, the initial rebuild appointments and site verifications since Malibu Rebuilds opened on March 10 – 12

Follow-up visits

Architectural Plan Submittal – 6 Pending / 4 Approved
Building Plan Check Submittal – 0 Received/ 0 Approved
Certificate of Occupancy – 0

238: Phase Two lots cleared of debris just in Malibu by the USACE as of April 4.

241: USACE personnel on the job in the Palisades.

685: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CA Wildfire Debris Mission website, 685 properties in Malibu/Palisades have been signed off for Phase Two clearance, which is 5% of a total of 3,398 Rights of Entry filed so far.

<1000: Number of realtors in Malibu, according to Susan Manners: “Our current membership is just under 1000 total members (REALTORS and Affiliate Members). Not all members live in Malibu or work in brokerages located within Malibu.”

400%: Growth in the California FAIR Plan over the last four years.

$700: Rumored cost for one debris-hauling truckload. Erin Jimenez would not confirm the rumor: “It is U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy to not discuss proprietary information such as negotiated prices for trucking operations”

1000: According to realtor.com: “Bass said on Friday (3-21) that so far, some 1,000 property owners [In Palisades] have not opted in or out of the government-run debris-removal initiative.

Failing to have all the debris removed could result in a lien being attached to a property.”

1,186: Truckloads of debris taken to multiple landfill streams on one day = April 4.

3,886: According to Hilary McLean representing California FAIR Plan: “As of April 7, the FAIR Plan has received approximately 3,886 claims for damage caused by the Palisades Fire. The FAIR Plan has paid more than $1.9 billion to policyholders, including advance payments, to cover claims related to the Palisades Fire.”

6,800: According to realtor.com: “… 6,800 homes either burned to the ground or were seriously damaged by the Palisades fire.”

$25,000 per million: It’s a $25,000 premium – per million dollars in value – to get additional insurance beyond the California FAIR Plan. According to an unidentified woman speaker at the Malibu Insurance Town Hall on April 2:

“Okay we were fortunate enough not to lose our home but we pretty much can’t get insurance right now. We had State Farm who non-renewed us. We were paying $16,000 for last year now to get full coverage it’s going to be over $100,000.

After we had State Farm and was non-renewed in December we had another non-California admitted policy who turnedaround and cancelled us after the fire because our roof was 25 years old. And they still have not refunded part of our $42,000 premium.

So we do have FAIR Plan for $3 million which doesn’t even begin to cover everything… I wonder what [is being done] to try to get California-admitted companies back into California because the insurance is just crazy for us.

To get an additional excess policy over the $3 million FAIR Plan it is more than $25,000 per million – which brings it up over $100,000 by the time you add in liability and a DIC policy which is just not… it just doesn’t… you can’t do that so I don’t know what to do as far as getting our home insured right now. We’re definitely between a rock and a hard place.”

$70,000 – $2,900,000 per mile: According to Jeff Monford at SCE: The cost difference between replacing exposed high voltage overhead wires with “covered conductor” as opposed to undergrounding electrical wires. Covered conductor also takes less time to place the lines: 16 – 24 months as opposed to 25 – 48 months for undergrounding.

According to an SCE press release from July of 2022: “A key benefit of covered conductor is the relatively fast speed at which it can be installed to achieve immediate wildfire risk reduction. That’s one of the reasons why Southern California Edison has installed 3,500 miles of overhead wire with a protective coating since it began installations in late 2018.Covered conductor reels can weigh more than 3,000 pounds and carry up to 5,000 feet of wire. Photo Credit: Roberto Lazarte “Covered conductor is a critical tool to quickly mitigate the threat of wildfires that could be caused by debris blowing into power lines. It helps keep our communities safe,” said Steve Powell, president and CEO of SCE.”

The grid hardening effort is also easing the burden on customers impacted by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

. SCE is working on completing more than 50 additional circuits this year, including installing more than 150 miles of covered conductor, along with more sectionalizing devices and weather stations. On these 50 circuits, the company expects an incremental 60% reduction in PSPS outage time compared to the last two years, assuming the same weather and fuel conditions.

$81,000: Cost for the remediation of a fire-afflicted home in Palisades Highlands. On Nextdoor, SM fretted: “Desperately would love people to share remediation estimates or costs for a still standing home with no smoke damage.

I just got the bill for ours and it totaled $81k: no contents of the house were cleaned. This was to dump everything, clean floors, walls, all interior top to bottom, flush ducts, replace insulation and repaint.

Nothing chimney related

And then paint after clean. All white paint but definitely some patching from artwork, etc

Anything that would help me understand how normal (or NOT normal) this is would be helpful 🙏”

$150,000 – $200,000: Cost of a typical Advanced Onsite Water Treatment System (AOWTS), aka septic tank. According to The Hooded Engineer: “The caveat with the sewer is that Caltrans really needs to step it up and build a full seawall to protect PCH “as if” the burnout beach house owners were not to build back, before the sewer is installed. They have to do that no matter what – in my opinion.

The problem with caissons on the beach is a term called “liquefaction.” When I worked on the Tidepool project (the pool for Nobu Ryokan), we had to install x16 caissons that were 3.5-4 feet in diameter and went down 80 feet to bedrock – just for a damn pool!

The homeowners will need to spend a lot of money on those types of caissons just for the house. If they can save the cost to build the seawalls that protect the septic systems, that would be a huge relief.

A typical AOWTS (Advanced Onsite Water Treatment System) required for a beachfront property costs between $150,000 and $200,000. An individual seawall can go for $500,000, or more, depending on the layout, parcel width, etcetc.

$1,000,000: The amount Malibu Road impresario Rob Macleod believes every homeowner along PCH will save in rebuilding if his WIN/WIN proposition for PCH is followed: Underground water, gas, power and communications lines, but mostly a wastewater system that will take 200+ homes off septic: “By not having to place a septic system and a leech field and a protective wall, that will save every homeowner a million dollars.”

$2,495,000: Listing price for a five-acre property on two lots at 2401 Rambla Pacifico with great views from Third Point to the rocky mountains behind: “ACTIVE PERMIT – House burned down towards the end of a major addition. This 5-acre property on 2 separate lots has some of the best views in Malibu, including panoramic ocean views and incredible rock formations. Rare opportunity to begin construction immediately and rebuild this gorgeous modern home. New foundations, zero-edge pool, and 600 Amp electrical service are in place and likely reusable. The septic system is likely re-usable.”

4,500,000 tons: Estimate for the tons of debris that will be removed from the Palisades Fire – by USACE Colonel Swenson on 60 Minutes.

When Chat GPT was asked: “What is the total weight of debris removed after natural disasters including 9/11, the Lahaina fire, Hurricane Katrina and other earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and war zones?”

ChatGPT answered: “The total weight of debris removed after major natural disasters (and 9/11) is difficult to calculate precisely, but here are estimates for some of the biggest disasters:

100,000,000 tons: Hurricane Katrina (200,000,000,000 pounds!)

50,000,000 –100,000,000 tons: Ukraine.

30,000,000 tons: 2010 Haiti Earthquake

25,000,000 tons: Tōhoku Earthquake & Tsunami

10,000,000 – 20,000,000 tons: Gaza Strip

4,500,000 tons: Palisades Fire.

1,800,000 tons: 9/11 Attacks

1,600,000 tons: 2018 Camp Fire (California)

200,000 – 300,000 tons: Estimated for 2023 Lahaina Fire

$4,950,000: Listing price for 21540 PCH: “A burn lot that is on one of Malibu’s most coveted shorelines, La Costa Beach. The property boasts an expansive, all-sandy beachfront with a low mean tide line, perfect for enjoying the ultimate coastal lifestyle. Whether you envision building a luxurious seaside retreat or investing in a prime oceanfront location, this lot offers endless possibilities. Join the vibrant and exclusive La Costa community and bring your dream to life on this breathtaking stretch of Malibu coastline.”

$5,000,000: First recorded sale of a fire-damaged property: An 8,540 square-foot property on the ocean side of PCH at Carbon Beach.

That price is $4,000,000 to $8,000,000 less than the Zillow, Redfin and Realtor.com estimates – if they can be trusted – which ranged from $9.37 million to $13.22 million.

The Masked Realtor said: “A great deal… Carbon and La Costa will be easier to build than east of Dukes.”

While another observer said: “I heard they took the money and ran to Montecito and bought a place on the beach.”

$5,995,00: Listing for a burn out property with 53 feet of ocean frontage at “20802 PCH at Las Flores Beach, between Big Rock Dr and Las Flores Canyon Rd.” The caveatous description is not particularly welcoming:

Remarks: The lot is completely burnt out, offering a blank slate for potential development. Prospective buyers must conduct thorough due diligence in all respects. This includes, but is not limited to, investigating future entitlements, soil toxicity, potential for future sewer connections, public beach access easements and Coastal Commission entitlements andoverall suitability for building. Additionally, buyers should review the geological conditions of the property to ensure suitability for their intended development plans. Seller makes no warranties or representations as to the buildability of the site.

$5,300,000 – $10,400,000 – Couldn’t get a straight answer out of Los Angeles County Public Works over the cost to install a wastewater treatment pipeline from Carbon Beach to Topanga.

Chat GPT did give a surprisingly straight and detailed answer. No idea if this is accurate or not. If you want the details, ask Chat GPT: “What would it cost to install a 4.5 mile wastewater pipeline from Carbon Beach to Topanga?”

Those numbers – right or wrong – condensed:

Pipeline length: 4.5 miles = 23,760 feet

Capacity: ~300 homes

Average wastewater flow per home: ~250 gallons/day → total flow ≈ 75,000 gallons/day

Pipe type: HDPE or ductile iron (8” or 10” diameter likely)

Pipeline Construction $3.6M – $5.9M

Pipe (HDPE 8 “-10” ): $100–$250 per linear foot installed

Includes excavation, materials, labor, and restoration

Pump/Lift Stations = $M – $3M

Flat terrain can go ~1–2 miles between lift stations, depending on elevation and pressure.

Likely need 2 to 3 pumping stations at $500K – $1M each: Includes pumps, electrical, control systems, backup generator, wet well, odor control= $1M – $3M

Design, Permitting, Environmental Review = $750K – $1.5M

Engineering + Coastal Commission + CEQA + public hearings

Estimate: 15–25% of construction costs

Total Estimated Cost $5.35M – $10.3M

Notes

If the terrain is favorable (e.g., a consistent downhill gradient toward Topanga), you might need only 1 pump station or even a gravity system with lift assist.

But according to one Malibu insider, the terrain is not favorable and riven with faults, landslides and other impediments. So even the $10.3 million estimate is low.

$19,500,000: Purchase price for “Carbon Oasis” paid by Robert Rivani in June of 2022. The property is just east of the former Geffen home and three properties west of the property that sold for $5,000,0000.

$20,750,000: Current listing price for Carbon Oasis: “Burnout from the Palisades fire set on 0.29 acres on desirable Carbon Beach,” according to trulia.com.

$27,000,000: Total investment in Carbon Oasis according to Realtor.com: “Real-estate investor Robert Rivani spent close to three years renovating an oceanfront mansion on Malibu’s star-studded Carbon Beach, adding a Zen garden and a sunlit infrared sauna.

The house was built around an interior courtyard with a pond, and the living spaces had limestone flooring and Onyx on the walls, along with travertine and Roman clay plaster. Including the price of the original home, the project cost close to $27 million. He had been planning to list it for $40 million this spring.

Last week, Rivani watched as the California wildfires tore the five-bedroom home apart, reducing it to rubble. “It’s catastrophic,’ he said. ‘How do you sum up losing over $20 million in 24 hours to any human being?”

$85,000,000: Sale price in 2017 of The Geffen Residence on Carbon Beach. Now burned to almost nothing. The swimming pool remains. And a hedge.

$1,900,000,000: According to Hilary McLEan representing California FAIR Plan: “As of April 7, the FAIR Plan has received approximately 3,886 claims for damage caused by the Palisades Fire. The FAIR Plan has paid more than $1.9 billion to policyholders, including advance payments, to cover claims related to the Palisades Fire.”

9,000,000,000 pounds: Yep, you read that right last time. The prediction by USACE Colonel Eric Swenson for the total weight of debris that will be removed from Palisades and Malibu — in one year, Swenson hopes.

Agoura Animal Shelter Pet of the Week, Meet Tangerine: Thursday, April 10

Pet of the Week

Office Manager

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April 10, 2025

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Agoura Animal Shelter Pet of the Week, Meet Tangerine: Thursday, April 10

Miss Tangerine A5677731 came to Agoura from Lancaster. She is currently bopping around the yard and sniffing everything on her walks. Loves dogs and people but can be a little shy with new people at first.

Come by and meet this absolute sweetie pie today!

Care Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed* on Sunday and holidays

29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
agoura@animalcare.lacounty.gov

City continues to host meetings on fire rebuilds

Barbara Burke

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April 9, 2025

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City continues to host meetings on fire rebuilds

Residents of Rambla Pacifico, Las Flores Mesa, Pena Road, and La Costa neighborhoods speak out

In Malibu, when they are rebuilding a home or business after a disaster, victims need to assess and address their parcel’s unique land characteristics, such as landslides and slope concerns, applicable technical guidelines, and building code compliance standards as conditions precedent to obtaining the necessary permits needed to break ground and begin rebuilding. The city offers community meetings tailored for each neighborhood that was damaged in the recent fires to address each area’s ecology, geography, waste disposal attributes and other unique considerations.

On April 1, residents in Rambla Pacifico, Las Flores Canyon/Mesa, Pena Road, and La Costa areas convened at City Hall to discuss applicable processes for their rebuilding projects. First, city staff and Lt. Col. Nate Weander of the Army Corps of Engineers updated the progress of debris removal, noting that teams are clearing properties as soon as possible at a rate of 40 parcels a day and teams have cleared more than 260 tons of concrete and other debris. Weander noted the Corps’ efforts currently are focusing on La Costa Beach, and he hopes to have that part of the effort completed by the end of the month. The Corps’ goal is to clear all coastal properties by June 1.

Weander also noted that before clearing a lot they must assess whether any chimneys are in peril of falling and injuring debris removal workers and whether any asbestos remains. “Homeowners will be informed three days before they go to clear debris from a parcel and the Corps will invite homeowners to meet at their homesite on the morning scheduled for debris removal and together, the Corps professionals and a homeowner can conduct a 360-degree assessment of the property,” Weander said. Addressing parcels on slopes that are hard for debris removal teams to access, he stated, “Our contractor uses a computer program integrating artificial intelligence to try and find the best way to remove debris on hard-to-access properties — in some areas in the valley where the Eaton Fire occurred when there are terribly steep homes we have people that are rappelling-certified go down there and remove some of the debris by hand.”

2025 City Meeting Rambla PacificoScreenshot 2025 04 08 at 9.22.58 PM — City-Meeting-Rambla-Pacifico Powerpoint

Weander stated that owners will be notified approximately three days before a debris removal team starts clearing land and owners are welcome to participate in the Corps’ 360-degree assessment on the day of debris removal. “This is your land,” he told attendees. “You get a vote — so if you originally opted for your foundation to be removed but decide before we arrive, you’ve talked to your builder and you decided that you now don’t want the foundation removed, we can amend the work order to reflect that. However, if you originally opted for the foundation to not be removed and you want to change that, we have to go back and amend the work order, which can take a while.”

Officials discussed the city’s streamlining protocols, which provide for multi-parcel geotechnical and topographic surveys that could save those who are rebuilding both time and expense. City staff noted that landslide study reports will be madeavailable to design-build professionals and homeowners to facilitate expeditious rebuilding. The city and its consultants discussed the existing landslide inventory map. Officials noted that if a parcel’s conditions mandate that it is unwise or untenable to build a like-for-like replacement home within the footprint of a destroyed structure, the city will afford the latitude needed to substantially relocate existing homes elsewhere on a property if that can be done safely.

“These neighborhoods discussed today are lucky in that there are less hoops to jump through compared to other neighborhoods that are rebuilding,” said Tyler Eaton, principal planner for the city.

That said, those who are rebuilding must adhere with keystone principles applicable to all the post-fire rebuilds, staff noted. California and Los Angeles County building codes must be strictly complied with and there is no latitude for city officials to waive their requirements. “Like for like” replacement structures qualify for permit streamlining as long as they have the same number of bedrooms, plumbing fixtures, and plumbing fixture units.

Finally, rebuilds on landslides must conform to LA County Building Code Section 110.2.3.6, which the Malibu City Council has adopted, mandates that rebuilding applicants must demonstrate that replacement structures shall not exceed the area, number of stories, water load affecting the parcel or number of fixtures and bedrooms of the destroyed structure and they must demonstrate that the replacement structure and/or the associated private sewage disposal system and replacement landscaping will not result in a greater amount of groundwater infiltration than occurred before a structure was destroyed. That provision also set forth requirements for soils engineering and geological reports and that the applicant must release the county of any liability relating to the property.

The La Costa Overlay District

Presenting city staff and city-contracted professionals addressed the La Costa Overlay District, addressed in Malibu Municipal Code Section 17.42.020(B). That district encompasses both parcels on the coast and on the land side of Pacific Coast Highway. They talked about geology topics, including the circumstances necessary for one to utilize limited reports versus comprehensive reports when complying with requirements to address parcels’ characteristics, the latter report type being much more expensive and time-intensive to produce.

Two factors apply in determining if a person rebuilding can provide a limited report. It depends on the scope and location of a rebuild and on whether re-use of the existing foundation is feasible and permitted. Slope setbacks are governed by the California Building Code Section 1808. Issues relating to slope setbacks and the effect of those requirements on whether homeowners could keep their foundations engendered a lot of attendee conversation. As fire victims have noted in all of the community meetings, if one must remove all or some of a foundation, it takes a lot of extra time and funding.

“La Costa has design standards and guidelines with special protocols concerning height standards,” Eaton noted. “There is a mechanism to move your home away from the original footprint for safety. A person’s house can be rebuilt exactly how it was or people can choose to design it to be more in line with the overlay district and, if so, any extra 10% of square footage must comply with the overlay district. ”

As with all things rebuilding, staff noted that appointments can be made at the City Rebuild Center so as to provide every applicant with a full understanding of the protocols applying to their individual rebuild.

Geotechnical hazard areas

Malibu is beset with many historically active, dormant, and ancient landslides as well as earthquake-induced landslide-susceptible areas. Those who are rebuilding must familiarize themselves with the Malibu Coast Fault Zone and debris flow hazard areas. Showcasing a dormant/ancient landslides inventory map, the expert team focused on historically active landslides that are located at Las Flores Mesa-Eagle Pass, Rambla Pacifico on the west flank of Las Flores Canyon whichcame to the state of stability in 2000, and Calle del Barco in the La Costa neighborhood.

2025 City Meeting Rambla PacificoScreenshot 2025 04 08 at 9.23.58 PM — City-Meeting-Rambla-Pacifico Powerpoint

They also discussed a United States Geological Service map depicting debris-flow susceptible areas, noting that MMC section 110.2.3.6 sets forth part of the California Landslide Area Building Code. Those identified landslide hazards will play a role in the siting for structure rebuilds. Technical consultants helping victims to rebuild need to take those provisions into account when generating their reports and must recount what the hazards are if one rebuilds in areas, staff, and its consultants emphasized.

“If a person’s property was already cleared via a fault investigation on his property or an adjacent property, the data set forth in the report clearing the property can be used by a consultant to generate a report,” said Lauren Doyel, a geotechnical engineer hired by the city. “Submittal packages must set forth the floor plans of the destroyed home and an owner’s onsite wastewater treatment systems inspection report which denotes a site plan showing all components of the OWTS, including tanks, connection lines, and dispersal field or pits.”

Reports must display all structures and take setbacks into account, and when necessary, retaining walls must be replaced, moved, expanded, or installed to protect structures and parcels, she added.

For fire victims with Pena Canyon and Las Tunas Beach bluff setbacks that apply to building new foundations, Eaton noted that, as with all things involved in the rebuilding efforts, the applicable assessment is project-specific with regard totopological characteristics.

Therefore, the best tact for homeowners to take is to schedule a meeting with staff and consultants at the rebuild center. He also said a policy document is forthcoming, which will address whether basements are allowed as long as they are within the 10% exceeding the original footprint. He noted that the Malibu City Code does not count basements up to 1,000 square feet and the council may address that.

A once-in-a-generation opportunity

Hayley Mattson

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April 8, 2025

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Local architect calls on city leaders to replace outdated septic systems with a modern sewer solution

As Malibu continues to rebuild in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, a critical conversation is unfolding — one that could shape the city’s future infrastructure, sustainability, and long-term resilience. One of the people at the forefront of this conversation is Christopher Sorensen, principal architect at Sorensen Architects, Inc., and a long-standing member of the Malibu Architects Association.

With nearly 30 years of experience designing luxury residences along the coast — his clientele includes names like Pamela Anderson and Brad Pitt — Sorensen has seen it all. But even he admits, what Malibu is facing today is unprecedented.

Following the recent wildfire, 327 beach homes were reduced to rubble. Now, the homeowners who once lived there are facing a reality they weren’t prepared for — not just emotionally or physically, but logistically and financially.

“The city is telling homeowners they can reuse their existing septic systems,” Sorensen said in a recent interview. “But the truth is, those systems won’t pass today’s regulations. The city knows it, and yet they haven’t been fully transparent. It’s a ticking time bomb of misinformation.”

According to Sorensen, nearly all of the existing septic systems along the Malibu coast are outdated and noncompliant. Under current codes, these systems must be replaced with advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) — an endeavor that alone can cost around $250,000. Then there’s the seawall requirement to protect these systems from coastal erosion, which adds another $250,000. Combined, it’s an estimated $500,000 price tag per property — before even beginning to rebuild the home itself.

Multiply that by 327 homes, and you are looking at a collective cost north of $160 million, funded almost entirely through private dollars.

“People think they can just rebuild using what they had,” Sorensen said. “But that’s not how it works anymore. Homeowners are spending tens of thousands in consultant fees, only to discover their existing systems don’t meet current codes. It’s heartbreaking.”

But Sorensen isn’t just sounding the alarm — he’s offering a viable alternative. He believes the city and the state should capitalize on this moment to finally expand Malibu’s municipal sewer system. The existing Civic Center Water Treatment Facility, which cost $60 million to build in 2018, already provides a strong foundation. Sorensen proposes to extend the sewer line seven miles along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) to connect the destroyed properties.

“We can call it Phase III,” Sorensen explained. “It’s the logical next step. We’d reduce environmental impact on the coastline, provide reclaimed water for irrigation and fire suppression, and eliminate the need for homeowners to install costly new systems. It’s a no-brainer.”

Resources Phase I and Phase II

Beyond common sense, there is also momentum. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently issued an executive order aimed at expediting underground utility and sewer projects across the state. The order allows critical infrastructure improvements to bypass bureaucratic hurdles like CEQA reviews and coastal development permits — an opportunity Sorensen believes Malibu cannot afford to miss.

“Right now, we have a golden window,” he said. “The governor’s executive order can fast-track the entire process. But we need local officials to lean in and lead. We can’t let this slip away.”

Another layer of urgency comes from FEMA’s updated flood maps, which now require that new homes in vulnerable zones be rebuilt higher than before. That added elevation effectively renders old septic systems physically — and legally — useless.

“So even if a homeowner wants to reuse their old system, they literally can’t. It won’t reach the new foundation,” Sorensen said. “And yet the city’s messaging remains vague, leaving people unprepared for what lies ahead.”

To make matters worse, many homeowners are realizing their insurance payouts won’t come close to covering the full cost of new OWTS installations and seawalls. “People are going to go broke before they can even pour a foundation,” he warned.

But Sorensen sees a path forward. He’s been working with bond companies that helped finance the Civic Center facility, and they have indicated support for expanding the system through a public-private partnership. Under a proposed structure, Sorensen explains that a special district could be created for the 327 affected parcels. If at least 51% of homeowners vote in favor, bonds would be issued and repaid via affordable assessments on property tax bills.

Yet despite growing support from homeowners and local design professionals, city leadership has remained hesitant. The reason, he said, is bureaucracy. The very machine Newsom is trying to streamline.

“Every councilmember I’ve spoken to wants to help. But they all say the same thing: the process takes too long,” Sorensen said. “But I keep telling them — this isn’t business as usual. This is a once-in-a-generation moment.”

A further complication — and perhaps the most politically fraught — is the debate surrounding seawalls and their connection to septic systems. According to current regulations, the Coastal Commission only permits seawalls if they are protecting an existing septic system. No septic, no seawall.

But Sorensen says the twist is those seawalls aren’t just protecting private property. In many cases, they are the only thing standing between the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Coast Highway itself.

“This is what people don’t understand,” Sorensen stated. “If those seawalls come down, we risk losing major sections of PCH. We’re not just talking about beach homes anymore — we’re talking about public infrastructure. We’re talking about safety.”

The irony isn’t lost on Sorensen. “You’d never question spending state dollars to fix the 405 or the 101,” he said. “Why is PCH treated differently, just because it passes through Malibu?”

And therein lies the deeper question. The narrative that improving coastal infrastructure only benefits wealthy homeowners is dangerously shortsighted. In reality, PCH is a vital artery for emergency response, tourism, local commerce, and regional connectivity. If it fails, the consequences extend far beyond Malibu’s city limits.

Sorensen believes the state has an obligation to step in. “If we’re going to mandate the removal of septic systems for environmental reasons, then we also have to fund the infrastructure that makes that possible,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”

In fact, Sorensen has already pitched a compromise that balances progress with pragmatism: allow homeowners to begin rebuilding now using their existing septic tanks, provided they sign an agreement to connect to the new sewer system once it’s in place.

“That gives people relief today, while still planning for tomorrow,” he said. “It’s a practical, phased solution.”

Still, the clock is ticking. Communication breakdowns between the city and its residents have made it difficult to spread awareness. Many homeowners don’t receive mailed updates, and privacy laws restrict direct outreach.

“That’s why I’m going to the media,” Sorensen said. “People need to hear this. They need to know what’s at stake.”

To that end, Sorensen will be speaking at a special town hall-style meeting on Thursday, April 10, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Malibu City Hall. The meeting will focus exclusively on the sewer proposal and next steps for affected residents.

“We have a chance to do something extraordinary,” he said. “Not just restore what was lost, but create something stronger, smarter, and more sustainable. But we need the courage to act.”

As Malibu charts its path forward, the choices made today will echo for decades to come. The city can either remain tethered to outdated infrastructure and paralyzed by red tape or seize this unique moment to lead the way in coastal resiliency and innovation.

“This is bigger than one fire, one neighborhood, or even one city,” Sorensen concluded. “This is about how we prepare for the future. And that future starts now.”

City of Malibu set to break ground on new permanent Skate Park at Malibu Bluffs on Friday, April 11

Hayley Mattson

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April 8, 2025

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City of Malibu set to break ground on new permanent Skate Park at Malibu Bluffs on Friday, April 11

Set to open in fall, the facility will feature modern skate elements and serve as a community hub for skaters

The City of Malibu announced the official groundbreaking of the much-anticipated Malibu Skate Park, a permanent, state-of-the-art recreational facility set to elevate the city’s youth and community-oriented offerings. The event will take placeon Friday, April 11, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park, located at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway. All community members, skaters, and supporters are invited to attend the event, which will feature remarks from city leaders, and enjoy food from Jennifer Naylor Catering and Events.

“This skate park is more than just a recreational facility — it will be a gathering place that will foster community, promote healthy lifestyles, and embrace Malibu’s deep-rooted skate culture,” said Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart. “We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this vital project.”

After years of planning and community collaboration, the new 12,500-square-foot facility will soon become a hub for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The park will feature various street and transition elements, including stairs, rails, ledges, banks, a flow bowl, quarter pipes, spine, extensions, and waterfalls.

The skate park’s design was led by California Skateparks, a globally recognized firm specializing in world-class skate facilities. The final design incorporates extensive public input gathered through community meetings and surveys conducted between 2020 and 2021, ensuring that local voices shaped the park’s vision from start to finish.

Construction of the skate park will begin this month, with a projected completion date this fall. The Malibu City Council officially approved a $4.1 million construction contract with California-based C.S. Legacy Construction on March 10.

“The skate park has been a dream of our community for many years,” Community Services Director Kristin Riesgo said.“We’re proud to be delivering a space that reflects the creativity, spirit, and passion of Malibu’s youth and action sports enthusiasts.”

The journey to the permanent skate park began in 2019 when the City Council designated the Crummer/Case property adjacent to Malibu Bluffs Park as the future home of the project. In the meantime, a temporary skate park was constructedand opened to the public on July 3, 2020, providing a much-needed outlet for local skaters and keeping the momentum going.

In November 2023, the Planning Commission reviewed and approved the final design for the permanent facility and granted a Coastal Development Permit. The park’s design was shaped through multiple design meetings, consultant presentations, and feedback gathered from local skaters and families.

The project’s progress also included legal and logistical negotiations. On March 1, 2024, the Malibu City Council approved a settlement agreement with the adjacent property owner, which resolved disputes and allowed the project to move forward. As part of the agreement, the neighboring development, The Case, will fund landscaping improvements, contribute $150,000 for any potential design changes, and lease temporary parking space until construction begins.

The Malibu Skate Park will replace the temporary facility and provide a long-term asset for the community. With an emphasis on creating a welcoming and safe space for all, the park is expected to draw skaters from across the region.

City officials emphasize the skate park’s role in promoting wellness, connection, and opportunity. Once completed, the park will offer a dynamic environment for youth programming, events, and informal recreation. It will also serve as a gathering space for families and residents to enjoy the scenic views and community atmosphere of Malibu Bluffs Park.

City staff plan to present naming proposals for the park in the coming months, inviting the community to help shape its identity. This participatory approach continues the theme of collaboration that has defined the skate park’s development.

To stay informed on the Malibu Skate Park’s progress, including construction updates and naming proposals, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Malibu’s official website or contact Community Services Director Kristin Riesgo at (310) 456-2489, ext. 349.

As the city prepares to turn the first shovels of dirt, Friday’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of construction — but the realization of a shared dream that has been years in the making.

Artists renderings show how the future Malibu Skate Park will look at Malibu Bluffs Park. Groundbreaking for the the skate park will be Friday, April 11. Graphics courtesy of City of Malibu