By Daily Press staff
The Santa Monica Pier has a new leader — sort of.
Ben Franz-Knight, who has served as the interim director of the Pier Restoration Corp., since July, was officially named the permanent replacement for former PRC executive director Jan Palchikoff.
The PRC oversees all operations of the Santa Monica Pier, including leases of the businesses located there.
PRC board chair Linda Sullivan said Franz-Knight won the job as the pier’s caretaker because he most closely shared the board’s vision for future developments and community activities.
“His enthusiasm and energy during his time in the interim position was also decisive,” Sullivan said. She added that in seven months, Franz-Knight has re-energized the PRC staff, formed partnerships with key organizations, created cost saving measures and launched new events.
“Although we had several candidates with wonderful credentials and truly impressive backgrounds, the board unanimously selected Ben because his overall performance has been so outstanding in so many different areas,” she said.
Prior to being interim director, Franz- Knight was assistant to Palchikoff, where he gained his knowledge of event production and pier operations.
The position also brings a level of politics that Franz-Knight will most likely face in the future. One challenge will be dealing with ramifications of the city’s eviction of the Boathouse Restaurant, which until last April had been a 50 year tenant on the pier.
The pier’s board decided to end the month-to-month lease with the Boathouse to rent instead to Bubba Gump Shrimp, a movie-themed chain restaurant.
Boathouse owner Naia Sheffield has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the city and the PRC, claiming her restaurant was kicked off the Santa Monica Pier unfairly.
Sheffield is demanding a jury trial, claiming breach of contract.
Officials say they are working to make the pier a more family-friendly environment, a direction the pier has been steadily moving in since Palchikoff was brought on board in 1996.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 11, 2003. Read the original PDF.