Santa Monica has reached a settlement with the family of Silas White, a late Black entrepreneur whose plans to open the city's first Black-led beach club were thwarted when the city seized the property through eminent domain in the late 1950s.
Staff announced the result at Tuesday’s council meeting. The city and Constance White entered into a settlement agreement that includes a $350,000 payment in recognition of Ms. White's efforts to address alleged wrongs and highlight White's efforts to create the Ebony Beach Club, according to the agreement terms reported during a city council meeting.
The settlement, which includes no admission of liability, was approved by a vote of 7-0.
Under the agreement, White may file an administrative reparations claim if such a process is established by the city. Priority in processing future claims will be given to persons 90 years of age and older if and when a process is created.
If a reparations fund is created, the city will explore additional funding sources and provide White or her designated representative a status report of those exploration efforts within 90 days of creating the fund.
Staff will recommend that leasehold interests are eligible for claims, that the claims process will not disqualify the White claim, that White's acceptance of the finder's fee will not be a disqualifying consideration and that the White claim will be given full consideration. The claims process requires legislative approval, and there will be no offer to negotiate outside the claims process.
By February 2026, the city will establish a Silas White exhibit at the city's main library and coordinate with White and/or her representatives regarding the exhibit materials. The city will also rename a portion of Vicente Terrace to Silas White Street for the section of the roadway not currently used as a mailing address for any existing residents.
The city will adopt a Silas White proclamation and coordinate with White and/or her representatives in naming a specific day as Silas White Day on Oct. 12 in Santa Monica.
The parties agreed to a mutual release of claims.
The case centers on property at 1811 Ocean Avenue, where White and his associates signed a lease-to-own agreement in 1957 with plans to open the Ebony Beach Club as a welcoming space for Black families during an era when beaches and many other areas remained segregated. Just one year later, the city filed to acquire the property through eminent domain as part of a civic development plan.
In 1959, a court awarded $74,000 in compensation to the original landowner, but White and his nonprofit organization received nothing. Under laws at the time, courts could only consider property ownership and market value — not racial motivation, community benefit or investments made by prospective buyers.
City records confirm White made initial payments and investments toward opening the club, including advertising and gathering more than 400 prospective members. The club never opened, and White died in 1962.
The White family first brought their case to the city council in March 2024, alleging the eminent domain action was racially motivated. Family members spoke passionately during Tuesday's public comment period in support of mediation.
The property in question today consists of approximately 6% of the Viceroy Hotel's leasehold and is used primarily as an access road near the hotel.
The city council previously voted to enter mediation with the family, approving a staff recommendation to pursue formal mediation. The city covered mediation costs up to $15,000, with the White family selecting the mediator.
City Manager Oliver Chi said the city will bring back for city council consideration the formal establishment of a citywide restorative justice program by January 2026.
"More details about that particular program will be shared in the coming weeks," Chi said.