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# Don’t fall for the ‘progress’ mantra
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/dont-fall-for-the-progress-mantra-editor/
- Published: 2004-12-08T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:47:16.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Downtown, #archive-import

*By Peter Davison Santa Monica*

In a November 19 LA Times article about the proposed three 21-story buildings in downtown Santa Monica, the architect is quoted saying: “We’re introducing nature into the urban heart of downtown Santa Monica.” Building three 21-story buildings is introducing nature? I have never heard anything so idiotic. It almost seems like a stand-up comedy joke.

It reminds me of the Philip-Morris ads that go on about how dangerous smoking is and how to quit, while marketing cigarettes everywhere. Pure hype.

I have lived in my present address for 28 years. I have seen our town become less and less friendly to residents. We already have too many people coming in and out of Santa Monica each day. There is already too much congestion. This ridiculous plan will further increase traffic, create more smog and generally make life worse for us residents.

I realize that a few people will make a lot of money, but I’m sick of seeing my town disappear into a Century City By-the-Sea scenario. The article says Macerich already owns 61 malls. How much money do these people need?

Don’t do it. It doesn’t have to be “Babbitt-Booster-Here We Grow Again.” Make a legacy for yourself of actually stopping the “progress.” If you have to make some money-maker there, make it small, one or two stories. It doesn’t always have to be some grandiose nonsense. I realize that you forget that people actually live here, we can’t all be tourists. The actual people of Santa Monica would like to stop the runaway growth and retain some of our small-town feeling.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 8, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120804.pdf?ref=smdp.com)