By Daily Planet slaves
Much of the sand on Santa Monica beach was sold to French real estate tycoon Ahmed Agbar Wednesday for $4.2 billion, officials said.
Agbar said he bought the beach sand from the Santa Monica Pier to the Venice Pier to use in a “wonderland” theme park development on eastern Catalina Island. With the removal of the sand, the ocean will reach the boardwalk at high tide.
Surfers in the area were particularly excited about the project because it was expected to create a “wave paradise.” Strong ocean currents created by the removal of the beach sand will ensure a minimum of six-foot swells each day.
Local surfer Pat Donefor said he was ecstatic about the developments. “The beach was always just a one big sleepover party for the homeless — now we are guaranteed of the best waves in Southern California, every day,” he said.
Construction on the project is slated to begin this summer and is expected to last until the end of 2008. A spokesman said oil tankers will carry the sand to Catalina twice weekly.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2004. Read the original PDF.