Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-brand1sep01,0,3464572.story?coll=la-opinion-center" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/op inion/commentary/la-oe-brand1sep01,0,3464572.story?coll=la-opinion-center</a> >>What most people don't realize is that the state of California owns a marvelous chunk of unused beachfront property in Santa Monica, one that could be converted to a park and beach club everyone could enjoy, unless a few mega-wealthy NIMBYs succeed in blocking the project. Less than two miles north of the Santa Monica Pier lies a five-acre estate once owned by William Randolph Hearst. Built with the help of legendary architect Julia Morgan (who designed Hearst Castle in San Simeon and the Herald-Examiner building downtown), the property was known as the Marion Davies estate. The tycoon's mistress, a silent movie star, hosted famously lavish Hollywood parties there in the 1930s. Hearst sold it in the 1940s. The state bought the land in 1960 and let the property be managed by the city of Santa Monica, which rented it out to the private Sand & Sea Club for a while, then opened it sporadically as a public space. But since the 1994 Northridge earthquake, this absurdly prime bit of real estate has been empty, left to slowly decay, the victim of a lack of funds. For years, government officials and community activists like me have worked on a plan to transform it into the crown jewel of California public beach facilities. For a modest day-use fee, anyone could enjoy the luxurious swimming pool with its historic tiles, sun deck with lounge chairs, volleyball and paddle tennis courts, small event rooms, children's play area, picnic tables and much more. Nearly all the renovation funds would come from a visionary $28-million Annenberg Foundation grant. Santa Monica approved the project in May. Considering that the land is valued at more than $50 million, the proposal is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But a group called the Palisades Beach Property Owners Assn. filed a lawsuit in June to derail the project. Four deep-pocketed owners of nearby beach houses — though not the immediate neighbors of the estate at 415 Pacific Coast Highway — are seizing on any excuse to tie up the plan in court.<<
Originally Posted By sherrytodd So why are they tying it up if they aren't immediate neighbors? They don't want riff raff like us in the neighborhood?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^ Same attitude Newport Beach residents had to convince Disney to sell the land they had there, rather than put up a DVC.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 and before the Cali defenders comeout - my aunt and uncle are 50 years residents of Newport Beach and I lived there when I started college at USC..and I know the anti Disney sentiment was more than token
Originally Posted By jonvn I have a bit of interest in NB. I think if Disney tried to build a DVC there, the locals would go insane. They have enough money to hire hit men, too.
Originally Posted By Ursula I completely defend the beach people. When I lived in the Marina, we had Fourth of July Fireworks and New Year's Fireworks; both open to the public. It was fun, but insane. The amount of trash left over was crazy and the traffic alone would kill most normal non-L.A. people. Why would anyone spending in the millions for a home WANT to have that everyday in their neighborhood? It's not like beach roads are plentiful and full of parking as it is.
Originally Posted By Dave Maybe we could move some of the locals from Maywood up there and give them homes!
