By Rob Martin Santa Monica
(Re: “A bright future awaits OPCC’s new residents,” Jan. 26, page 3) When the city council approved the “loan” for OPCC to buy the Cloverfield site, it was conditioned, per statements by Richard Bloom, that it would only be used as an overnight shelter facility. This is why the “Access Center” remained at the bus yard.
And yet, with fanfare, they’re opening a jewelry store, offering yoga classes and “50 to 70 individuals” will be accessing the facility throughout the day. Inevitably, OPCC will open up a host of “programs” at the center, and there will be the same lineup of bums and miscreants strewn throughout the neighborhood, as there is on Fifth Street, Olympic (Boulevard) and downtown today. This is why people don’t trust Santa Monica city government. The public was quite clear that the center did not belong in Pico, nor should OPCC own it.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 31, 2007. Read the original PDF.