By Andrew Kay Liberman Santa Monica
Buckminster Fuller said once: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new existing model obsolete.”
It’s time to rethink in this light how the decisions are being made to develop downtown and Santa Monica Place.
One day, the Santa Monica City Council was a model for some political and social change. Then came the “remodeled Promenade,” eliminating the unique, one-of-a-kind stores in that sector and bringing in the corporate heaven that has invaded the area from out of the community — transforming the area with business in mind.
Now the City Council and city planners, through their own local version of manifest destiny, want to out-do that eyesore with some kind of an urban center development at Santa Monica Place: High-rises, much more parking and traffic than the already overburdened area can withstand.
What about something entirely different but simple? The focus could be on transportation and park enhancements for people who already live here, principally for walkers and bikers and everyone else who appreciates the outdoors. But for this kind of experiment to proceed, it seems the people of Santa Monica would need to participate in this kind of a plan where other interests have preference at the moment.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 30, 2004. Read the original PDF.