Councilmember Dan Hall’s recent community update about the Civic Auditorium says, “There is a lot of misinformation out there.” We agree. Unfortunately, it’s coming from those who supported ending exclusive negotiations with RPG to restore and operate this incredible venue.
Every prior council which has considered an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with RPG has voted unanimously to do so, until the four members of this council refused to give them a few more months to refine and present their plans for a complicated and important project.
Mr. Hall claims that ending the ENA will allow for greater competition for the Civic’s rehabilitation and operation. But the fact is, RPG was selected from among several ENA competitors. What is the advantage to Santa Monica of starting all over again?
More misinformation: RPG is NOT asking the City for a subsidy if it cannot operate the Civic profitably or at break-even. RPG has consistently and publicly said it is not, and will not, ask for a subsidy and will fund this undertaking on its own. As experts in their business, they believe they can make this project work.
Unlike RPG, our city staff, however hardworking and talented they may be, are not experts in sensitive renovation of not only a major city historic landmark but one that is on the National Register of Historic places; in seismic reconstruction; in development of modern venue acoustics, lighting, and immersive imaging; in identifying and signing performing talent; in ticket sales; in venue management and operation. Yet Council relied on staff’s financial doubts to end negotiations with the only viable and available partner with this range of expertise.
Hall also compares the renovation of a single-family home to the renovation and operation of the historic Civic as a performing arts center. But bringing this historic building up to seismic standards—and then operating it as a venue for thousands of patrons—is far more complex than renovating a single-family residence.
Most importantly, what alternatives are being proposed by those voting to end exclusive negotiations to activate the Civic as the cultural hub of our community, and do it as rapidly as RPG can, or at all? Wouldn’t it have been wiser to give RPG a few more months to refine its plans than to start all over again, especially if the City is in such a dire need of money?
Santa Monica citizens and residents of the West Side want the Civic to re-open, and soon. Council’s action on October 14 was a disappointing betrayal of its obligations to its constituents. As uncomfortable as that is, those are the facts.
Bea Nemlaha on behalf of Save the Civic