> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Overwhelming approval for bond measure cast by underwhelming minority - URL: https://www.smdp.com/overwhelming-approval-for-bond-measure-cast-by-underwhelming-minority/ - Published: 2002-03-07T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T00:06:04.000Z - Author: Andrew Fixmer - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Bond money to repair and replace facilities* Voters overwhelmingly approved a $160 million bond that will pay for expanded facilities and a new campus for Santa Monica College. Nearly 70 percent — or 11,688 residents — voted for the bond measure Tuesday, surpassing the 55 percent required by law for approval. Only 30 percent — or 5,144 residents — opposed the measure. “This is an incredible vote of confidence,” said SMC President Piedad Robertson. “It was good to see that people appreciate the college and want to encourage us to be even better.” However, only 16 percent of total registered Santa Monica voters approved the measure. Some critics of the proposal have said that is hardly a majority of support. “We were a lot smaller than they were, but I think broadly speaking that under 25 percent of the electorate came out,” said Peter Tigler, a ‘No on Prop U’ leader. Opponents said that the bond would spur more uncontrolled growth at the college. The idea of more satellite campuses concerns many residents who have been impacted by the school’s expansion over the years. Also, opponents said the local community shouldn’t be funding a college that has 32,000 students, many of whom commute from outside Santa Monica. Their third argument was that the measure would reduce local bonding capacity. Opposition to the measure came late, with an ad campaign estimated at under $1,000 and little public protest until just weeks before election day. The advertising war chest for “Vote Yes on Measure U” reached about $200,000, with $115,000 raised by SMC’s Associated Students over the past two years. The funds are collected through student fees. By dividing what the college spent on pro-measure U advertising by the number of votes, they spent $13.64 cents per vote. If the same mathematical equation is applied to the opposition party, they spent under 20 cents per vote. Tigler said he hopes SMC will have a “congenial” relationship with nearby residents. Santa Monica Mayor Mike Feinstein said the fall is the time when important ballot issues, like the bond measure, should go before voters. “In general its better to put a measure of this kind of importance on the November election ballot because a larger portion of the community is likely to express their view points,” he said. Both Feinstein and City Councilman Richard Bloom said they were happy the college’s ballot measure was approved, but they warned that the city would be monitoring how the money is spent. “Residents will expect the college to spend this money wisely and in a manner that respects their community,” said Bloom. “They will be watching closely to make certain that the many commitments by SMC during the campaign are kept.” > “Residents will expect the college to spend this money wisely and in a manner that respects their community.” — — RICHARD BLOOM Santa Monica city councilman Part of the money will be used to renovate buildings at the campus on Pico Boulevard that were damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Another portion will partially fund the purchase of a 10-acre site the college recently bought for $30 million near the airport. Plans call for a satellite campus and more parking at the site. “There will be modernization of the campus and improvement of safety,” Robertson said. College officials said some of the money would also be used for safety improvements around campus. There is some talk of building pedestrian bridges over dangerous intersections or even putting in underground tunnels. “Perhaps bringing in cars underground so students can walk freely above on a plazas is one idea,” Robertson said. The bond’s average cost to taxpayers will be $1.12 per month for renters and $77 per year for the average homeowner in Santa Monica and Malibu, according to Graham Pope, the co-chair for the committee supporting the measure. The bond issue in the first year is estimated at $16.21 per $100,000 in assessed valuation. The average cost over the bond’s life will be $19.21 per $100,000. A facilities assessment completed earlier this year outlined 21 projects at the college. Priorities are to replace the earthquake-damaged liberal arts building and temporary buildings with modern labs and classrooms. Facilities for the nursing, environmental studies, earth sciences and math programs also need upgrades and improvements are needed to meet standards for campus lighting, security and the American Disabilities Act. Other pressing needs are to find space for student parking and the emeritus college program, which is geared to students ages 55 years or older. The emeritus program is housed on the ground floor of a city parking structure on Second Street and the city has plans to turn property into a park at Santa Monica Airport, where students park and ride shuttles to the main campus a mile away. Renovations are expected to be completed over the next 10 to 12 years. The college’s last bond issue was for $22 million in 1992 to build an addition to the science building and library. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/030702-01_01.jpg) Armed Forces Network shot a public service announcement for soldiers from Delaware on The Third Street Promenade Wednesday. (Photo: Andrew H. Fixmer/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 7, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/030702.pdf?ref=smdp.com)