Jodi Summers = Santa Monica Real Estate

THE SANTA MONICA PIER IN A NEW LIGHT

February 10, 2013 on 7:14 pm | In Green, Historic Properties, Of Local Importance, Santa Monica Landmarks, The City of Santa Monica says, Uncategorized | No Comments

by Jodi Summers

Old meets new. The century-old Santa Monica Pier has new millennium lighting. The City of Santa Monica recently updated all bulbs that light the Pier to LED versions, which are heralded as being more energy efficient, last longer and provide more focused beams than their counterparts.

Nearly 1,600 fixtures on the carousel, “necklace” lights that surround the structure, flood lights, street lamps and globe lights will get the upgrade, saving 216,000 kilowatt hours per year compared to the traditional bulbs. A portion of the new LED lights will be replacing incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs that burned out some time ago, bringing new life to the pier.

“We will be making this jewel of the city brighter and more sustainable,” praised pier manager Rod Merl.

City Hall received $114,370 for the Pier Lighting Retrofit project and another $554,000 for the wider LED Street lighting project, which served to replace streetlights throughout the city with new bulbs. Savings on the Pier project work out to roughly $39,466 saved per year in energy costs, according to the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. In addition to saving electricity, the new fixtures are expected pier staff a lot of time….particularly when it comes to maintaining the necklace lights that loop around the pier deck, where the globe lights would burn out regularly.

LED lights are more expensive by the piece, but according to the U.S. Department of Energy, a high-powered white LED light can last between 35,000 and 50,000 hours. By comparison, the average incandescent light lasts between 720 and 2,000 hours, a compact fluorescent usually runs between 8,000 and 10,000 hours.

If the new LED lights were on 24 hours a day, they would last 5.7 years, calculated Carlos Rosales, an engineer with the public works department. “Since they only turn on at night, they should last 10 years,”

And they should all need to be replaced at about the same time.

Another benefit to the lights in the eyes of City Hall is how they project their beams.

Unlike incandescent bulbs which scatter light, LEDs are more focused, meaning they do not have the fuzzy “glowing” quality that many are used to.

“The old-fashioned kind of lights tends to cast a wide area,” Merl observed. “One of the things with the new lighting heads, the light pools where you want it to rather than dispersing in all directions.”

Shine on you crazy pearl necklace….

http://www.smdp.com/pier-to-get-new-more-efficient-lighting/110795?utm_source=Santa+Monica+Daily+Press+List&utm_campaign=9cd6cf3bec-SMDP_Daily_Template6_10_2010&utm_medium=email

http://www.socalgreenrealestateblog.com/?p=2331

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http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=4563

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SANTA MONICA CITY HALL CONTROLS WATER CONTAMINATION FUNDS

October 15, 2012 on 12:11 pm | In Historic Properties, Of Local Importance, Problem Solving, Santa Monica Landmarks, The City of Santa Monica says, Uncategorized, WOW | 2 Comments

By Jodi Summers

A toast to Santa Monica the City has won another lawsuit in the efforts to keep its water supply clean. Recently, City Hall took on the responsibility to treat the water it pumps from the Olympic Well Field, cleaning contaminants left behind by the former Douglas Aircraft Co. They will be the beneficiaries of a $39.5 million settlement with the Boeing Corporation. The monies will be paid out over the next 10 years.

Locations included in the cleanup are 2902 Exposition Blvd., 1909 Centinela Ave. and 2341 to 2425 Michigan Ave. Additionally, Boeing will have to do any other clean up required by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board at additional sites.

The City of Santa Monica is not unaccustomed to going to court to clean the water supply. The City-owned Charnock Well Field, has been used for drinking water production and treatment since 1924 In 1996, the Charnock Well was shut down due to the detection of gasoline compounds (specifically methyl tertiary-butyl ether {MTBE}), in the water supply from nearby gasoline stations.

Litigation followed. Santa Monica won. City Hall opened the state-of-the-art Arcadia water treatment facility in 2011. Once again, the spring for which Santa Monica is named, began pumping fresh water to Santa Monica for the first time in 15 years. Huge!

The chain of title for the Olympic Well Field contamination can be traced back to the

Douglas Aircraft Co., a major player in the aircraft industry during World War II. Local historians note that World War II affected Santa Monica more than most places, as the Federal Government (for national security reasons) leased the Airport from the City to provide protection for Douglas Aircraft – then a major defense contractor located in Sunset Park. The government also participated in the expansion of the facility to accommodate the ever-growing production of military aircraft by Douglas Aircraft. At its peak, Douglas Aircraft, and Santa Monica Airport grew in size to its present 227 acres, employing 40,000 individuals.

Douglas Aircraft Co., used industrial solvents called PCE and TCE for degreasing, chemicals which were later discovered in the Olympic basin, observes Gil Borboa, the water resources manager with City Hall.

“That was back in the time where chemical handling processes were not as careful as they are today,” Borboa notes.

Douglas Aircraft was eventually bought by a company that came to be known as McDonnell Douglas. That company was bought by Boeing in 1997. The settlement notes that contamination Boeing will not admit liability or responsibility for any claims.

Santa Monicans are already using water out of the contaminated well, which is treated using an “old school” process where the water is aerated, similar to running it through sprinklers, which turns the chemicals into vapor. That air is then sent through carbon scrubbers which removes the contaminants.

City Hall’s aim is to construct a water treatment facility that would not only take the solvents out of the water, but contaminants that might cause problems in the future…such as identified another solvent called 1,4-dioxane that is currently within acceptable levels, but may not be in the future.

The settlement is closely modeled after a 2010 settlement with the Gillette Corporation, the company that paid out for contamination of the Olympic Well Field caused by industrial processes at the former Papermate site. That deal involved similar chemicals and helped create the framework for the Boeing deal.

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-local-news-c-2012-05-09-73993.113116-City-Hall-gets-395M-from-Boeing.html?utm_source=Santa+Monica+Daily+Press+List&utm_campaign=94728cf944-SMDP_Daily_Template6_10_2010&utm_medium=email

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=3625

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=675

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http://www.smgov.net/uploadedImages/Departments/Public_Works/Civil_Engineering/Santa_Monica_Water_Treatment_Plant/Arcadia%20Unit.jpg

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=4399

SAVE THE SANTA MONICA POST OFFICE

September 10, 2012 on 12:43 pm | In Federal Government, For Your Purchasing Pleasure, Of Local Importance, Santa Monica Landmarks, Uncategorized, WOW | 4 Comments

edited by Jodi Summers

The Postal Service announced that they are proceeding with plans to relocate the services of the historic Santa Monica Main Post Office to the carrier annex at 1653 7th Street, south of Colorado and the future Expo line. The Santa Monica Conservancy was among dozens of organizations and hundreds of residents who wrote letters opposing the closure at the time of the July 17 hearing.

We are following this situation very closely, and would like to bring you up to date on three initiatives we are taking:

Joining appeals of the decision to relocate the Post Office
Requesting Consulting Party status in the Section 106 Process defined by the National Historic Preservation Act
Asking our Landmarks Commission to prepare a nomination of the Post Office

See below for details and how you can help.

____________________________________________________________

Appeal of the Postal Service decision to close the 5th Street Post Office: It is our understanding that the City of Santa Monica will be making a formal appeal. The Conservancy will be sending its own letter opposing the decision for closure and ask you to do the same. The Conservancy’s letter will include the following points:

The Santa Monica Main Post Office is a beautiful historic structure which is recognized in the City’s Historic Resource Inventory as being eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It has been serving the community since its dedication in 1938 as part of the Federal Works Progress Administration.
We are very concerned that the proposed sale of the Post Office will place this historic building at risk. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is so concerned about the failure of the Postal Service to provide adequate protections that it has named the Historic Post Offices to its 2012 list of the Nation’s Most Endangered Historic Places. See below for additional concerns about Postal Service adherence to federal laws intended to protect historic properties as they are sold into private ownership.
Closing the 5th Street Post Office may very well turn a profitable location into one that operates at a loss. The current location in the Central Business District is within walking distance of many local residents and businesses, and accessible by public transit. The outpouring of opposition describes the proposed location as much less convenient and indicates that the facility would be avoided by many – suggesting that it may not generate enough revenue to cover operating costs.

Your letters of support should be sent to:

Vice President, Facilities

Pacific Facilities Service Office

1300 Evans Ave. Ste. 200

San Francisco CA 94188-0200

______________________________________________________

Requesting Consulting Party status in the Section 106 process defined by the National Historic Preservation Act: Under Section 106, the Postal Service cannot sell a historic property without a protective covenant to ensure that the historic property suffers “no adverse effects” when sold. Unfortunately, experience to date indicates the protections put in place are likely to be very weak unless local preservation organizations like the Conservancy request a consulting role. We will be making this request immediately without waiting for the results of the appeal, and will keep you informed of our progress.

____________________________________________________

A Little History: For 74 years, residents enjoyed the U.S. Post Office at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue.

Built by then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Projects Administration, it opened with pomp—red, white and blue bunting strung across the lawn—in July of 1938.

But now, there’s less of a need for the brick and mortar outlet, Postal Service officials say. About 40% of the agency’s retail revenue comes from the Internet, grocery stores, pharmacies and office supply stores.

Though Santa Monica’s main post office has dodged closure lists since 2009—when expansive plans were first announced to consider shuttering thousands of locations nationwide—it is now being targeted.

Under a plan that still needs to be vetted by the public, the retail services would relocate less than a mile away to a carrier annex facility at 1653 Seventh St. The lucrative downtown property at 1248 Fifth could be sold, said spokesman Richard Maher.

______________________________________________________

Finally, the Conservancy has requested that the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission prepare a nomination of the Post Office so as to be ready to act as soon as the Post Office passes into private ownership, since they have no jurisdiction as long as the building remains a federal property. We understand that this will be on the Commission’s agenda for their next meeting, scheduled September 10 at 7 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Are you a current member of the Conservancy? Your annual membership contributions support our work to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of our city. You will receive our informative quarterly newsletter and discounts on tours and events.

Thank you for your support!

Questions? Call 310-496-3146 or email info@smconservancy.org.

Mailing Address:
Santa Monica Conservancy
PO BOX 653
Santa Monica, CA 90406
US

Contact Name: Santa Monica Conservancy
Telephone Number: (310) 496-3146

From: Santa Monica Conservancy [mailto:info@smconservancy.org]

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http://santamonica.patch.com/articles/new-deal-era-post-office-targeted-for-closure

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HOW THE SANTA MONICA PIER FERRIS WHEEL LIGHTS THE SKY

June 21, 2012 on 12:21 am | In Fascinating Information, Fun, Green, Of Local Importance, Santa Monica Landmarks, Uncategorized, WOW | 2 Comments

By Jodi Summers

We love the Ferris Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier. The vibrant designs which dazzle our evening sky are created by more than 160,000 LED lights. The wheel’s light patterns are conceived by Dana Wyatt, Director of Operations for Pacific Park…this is how he makes his designs.

The wheel, manufactured by Chance Morgan Rides, is a $1.5 million dollar investment for Pacific Park. Its use of LED lights cut costs and energy consumption for the park, while a solar application generates up to 71,000 kilowatt hours of photovoltaic power.

The original “Pacific Wheel” featured 5,392 light bulbs (2,392 white, 1,500 red and 1,500 blue) and appeared in at least 71 television commercials, 28 films and 13 music videos during its 12-year run. In 2008, the wheel was then sold on eBay for $132,400 with half of the winning bid being donated to the Special Olympics.

http://listverse.com/2011/07/12/top-10-ferris-wheels/

http://www.smmirror.com/#mode=single&view=34455

http://inhabitat.com/santa-monicas-ledsolar-powered-ferris-wheel/

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,1555730822001_2111649,00.html

GREAT MUSIC GRACES THE PIER FOR THE 28TH ANNUAL SANTA MONICA TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES

May 29, 2012 on 12:03 am | In Fascinating Information, Fun, Of Local Importance, Santa Monica Landmarks, Uncategorized, WOW | 4 Comments

by Jodi Summers

Woo hoo! Get ready to dance on the sand. 2012 marks the 28th anniversary of the Santa Monica Twilight Concert Series. This free summer concert tradition on the Santa Monica Pier will begin July 5. Here’s the good music that will be coming our way…

• July 12: Jamaican harmony trio The Mighty Diamonds and Los Angeles-based reggae band The Lions

• July 19: Los Angeles-based indie acts HAIM and Wildcat! Wildcat!

• July 26: Organic jam rocker Jackie Greene

• Aug. 2: Australian country singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers

• Aug. 9: PARADE Collective — Jam sessions featuring musicians from Cirque du Soleil

• Aug. 16: African rock from Mali’s Amadou & Mariam paired with Portland Scene-stealers Y La Bamba

• Aug. 23: Cuban singer-songwriter Alex Cuba and the salsa dance sounds of Lucky 7 Mambo

• Aug. 30: New Orleans’ Hot 8 Brass Band and Louisiana funk band The Gumbo Brothers

• Sept. 6: Southern California Indie breakout act Best Coast

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-local-news-c-2012-05-25-74106.113116-Pier-concert-series-lineup-announced.html?utm_source=Santa+Monica+Daily+Press+List&utm_campaign=4b5ab045d1-SMDP_Daily_Template6_10_2010&utm_medium=email

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http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkZGXco2fKU/TWgg8ay1lPI/AAAAAAAAAHY/SElHMMw_O4U/s1600/Gumbo+bros+with+Jessica+atBistro.jpg

http://www.santamonicapropertyblog.com/?p=4421

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HOW IMMINENT DOMAIN AT THE BELMAR TRIANGLE EVOLVED INTO THE NEW VILLAGE AT SANTA MONICA MIXED-USE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

April 10, 2012 on 5:17 pm | In Fascinating Information, For Your Purchasing Pleasure, fUNNY...mONEY, Historic Properties, Legal, Of Local Importance, Santa Monica Landmarks, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

By Jodi Summers

There is great irony in the Village at Santa Monica > the$350-million, 318-unit apartment / condo / retail development going up the 1700 block of Ocean Avenue. The low-rise Village at Santa Monica project will offer 158 luxury condominiums adjacent to 160 affordable apartments crowning 20,000 square feet of commercial space. The irony is that the 160 affordable housing units replace an African-American neighborhood that the City took by imminent domain back in the ‘50s.

Once upon a time the Belmar Triangle was an African-American neighborhood nestled between Pico Boulevard, Main and Fourth Streets. It was destroyed in the 1950s by the City of Santa Monica, which took to aggressive imminent domain action to condemn the area, burning now-landmarked shotgun houses to make room for the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

The Belmar Triangle was home to a vibrant community which was categorized as blighted by the City. The area became a target of “urban renewal” as the City used eminent domain to condemn black-owned properties.

Accordingly, local planners leveled homes and businesses to build what is now the Civic Auditorium and its parking lot. Back then, the grazing took place by fire, as the homes were burned to the ground as planners watched.

Santa Monica got their high profile venue. The Civic Auditorium hosted the Academy Awards from 1961 to 1967.

The Belmar neighborhood was a few blocks from Ink Well Beach, the 200-square-foot portion of Santa Monica State Beach that was once roped off and reserved only for African-Americans. The remnants of the Inkwell neighborhood were annihilated when the 10 Freeway was built on that location.

So those 160 affordable apartments came about because of Belmar Triangle politics.

Community Corporation of Santa Monica, the city’s largest affordable housing developer, made it happen. So, in an attempt to right past wrongs, the new Village at Santa Monica will bring back a mixed-income population to the area. A low income building will be named Belmar in its honor. That makes it better…lol….

“We cannot replace the deeds and misdeeds of the past, but we can help in some small way,” offers Andy Agle, director of housing and economic development for the City.

Community Corporation of Santa Monica has been the most aggressive developer of new housing units in the City of Santa Monica. It’s state counterpart, the redevelopment Agency, an entity funded through local taxes to fight blight and repair infrastructure, ceased to exist Feb. 1 after the California Supreme Court ruled that that the legislature could dissolve the 400 agencies in California as part of the state budget. It was the agency that spent $53 million on the 11-acre parcel in the Civic Center area that made it possible to create the affordable housing project on the site.

The Village is within walking distance of a diverse range of Santa Monica attractions and amenities, including the 3rd Street Promenade, public parks and beaches, Main Street, world-class restaurants, shopping, hotels and nightlife. Next door to the Village is the city’s $55-million seven-acre Palisades Garden Walk & Town Square designed by James Corner and expected to be an international landmark when it opens in 2013.

The whole neighborhood is under renovations. City Hall, as well as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium (in a public/private partnership agreement with the Nederlander Organization) are each scheduled for close to a $50-million restoration and revitalization. Down the block we have the light rail coming in 2015, as well as the recently refurbished Santa Monica Place mall which received a $265-million open-air renovation.

“The Village will enhance the image of Santa Monica as a place of beauty, style and spirit,” observed Mayor Richard Bloom at the groundbreaking ceremony. “The City’s commitment to affordable housing is an integral part of this development. It will help ensure that Santa Monica is an accessible and welcoming community that fosters economic diversity.” Mayor Bloom always knows the right thing to say.