Some of you were surprised to read recent press from the Venice Dell Developers saying they received $42 million in “conditional” State funding for the project.
We too were surprised by the developer flagging this funding for their imaginary project (killed at Transportation Commission last December) particularly since any funds received by the state would have been based on that inaccurate (fraudulent?) appraisal of $3.4 million for 40 lots a block from the beach. Hardly something the developers should be calling attention to while housing programs are being scrutinized on every level for their unaccountable spending.
This news came immediately after many joined us at City Hall as our Councilwoman put forward a motion to the Housing and Homelessness Committee to move forward with Transportation Commission’s decision to use lot #731 as an enhanced mobility hub for Venice and all of its visitors, while doing a feasibility study for lot #701 (directly next door) to be used for affordable housing. The motion passed last week and moved on to City Council.
On Tuesday, we were blown away by the eloquence and strength Traci Park exhibited when she spoke in support of the motion as it came before the full council. The motion passed with a vote of 11-3!
Our Councilwoman rocks and we couldn’t be more grateful to have her representing CD-11!
Here’s the coverage in the Westside Current-
Traci stood up for her constituents at Council and ended nine years of angst for our Venice community. Here are some epic quotes from Traci’s statement:
“This was never about homelessness or creating affordable housing. It was about a developer who didn’t think the rules should apply to them and a project that from the beginning was deceptive, a waste of taxpayer dollars and a bad idea…”
“It looks like a damn cruise ship crashed into the neighborhood. Zero regard for coastal access, zero environmental review, and less than zero regard for community concerns. Constant disrespect demonstrated by this developer. Name calling, gaslighting and endless lying.”
“This project is one of the most egregious wastes of taxpayer dollars I’ve ever seen… we are literally giving away one of our most valuable land assets worth many tens of millions of dollars for free, to a politically connected developer, for a plan to build 430 sq. ft. micro units of housing at an obscene price point. Nearly $2,500 a square foot.”
“The Venice Dell has been the poster child for bureaucratic arrogance, ignoring mandated city procedures, dismissing valid concerns and silencing opposition with threats.”
For Traci’s full speech- enjoy this link: The brilliance begins at 2:55:40
https://lacity.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=137936
We at the Coalition are proud to say, we were never silenced by the opposition’s threats and are grateful to all of you who have stood by us in this battle.
We have endless gratitude to Traci Park, our City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, and our Mayor for doing the right, sensible thing, often while under vicious attack.
Now we again ask you to help us do the right thing and pay those damn legal fees which were absolutely essential towards stopping the project. Our goal is to raise $82,000 by the end of the year. Can you please help us?
Tax deductible donations can be made at the Venice Canals Association Website (a 501c3) by clicking on the Grand Canal Environmental Fund:
https://venice-canals-association.square.site/product/donate/8?si=true
Or please donate at SafeCoastalDevelopment.org (a 501c4, not tax deductible).
https://www.safecoastaldevelopment.org/donations/support-scd/
We made a promise to you that we have kept and are thrilled with Tuesday’s outcome! We’re no longer asking for funding on speculation, we have accomplished all that we could hope to achieve and are asking you to contribute to our successful outcome.
Please help us keep the promise we made to pay our legal team for all of their work that got us to this point today.
It’s been a hell of a ride, and as always- we are so grateful for your support.
With Appreciation-
The Team at Safe Coastal Development