To the editor: Santa Monica has, in some ways, shot itself within the foot (“‘What happened to Santa Monica?’ Why city struggles as Beverly Hills, WeHo thrive,” Oct. 6).
Trendy seaside volleyball was born on the sands of Santa Monica. When Los Angeles hosts the world in 2028, what extra becoming picture might there be than Olympic seaside volleyball beside the Santa Monica Pier?
LA28 provided Santa Monica a unprecedented alternative to showcase the town — and its historical past — to a worldwide viewers. As an alternative, negotiations became bogged down over prices, ensures and what Santa Monica would obtain in return. Ultimately, LA28 moved on, and seaside volleyball will now be performed in Lengthy Seashore.
Definitely a metropolis has an obligation to guard its taxpayers. However not each good thing about internet hosting an Olympic occasion seems on a municipal steadiness sheet. At a time when Santa Monica is battling its picture, tourism and the vitality of its downtown, the worldwide publicity from an occasion so intimately linked with the town’s personal historical past was a possibility that won’t come once more.
Generally the worth of being on the world stage is the world stage itself.
David L. Wanamaker, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Santa Monica lost the Los Angeles Marathon. Ending on the nice Pacific made the marathon among the finest on this planet — and Santa Monica misplaced it. The town misplaced 1000’s of contributors and spectators packing each lodge and restaurant for a celebratory weekend they’d always remember. That’s value hundreds of thousands in a weekend — and Santa Monica misplaced it.
If Santa Monica is intent on huge modifications, it ought to begin with its decision-makers.
Adam White, Burbank
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To the editor: Thanks for the article on the financial, public security and picture challenges going through Santa Monica, in addition to the measures the town is taking to satisfy these challenges and switch issues round.
I’ve lived in Santa Monica for 50 years and have seen nice change over the many years. One factor the article omitted was the main destructive impression of the downtown riot and mass looting that occurred on the identical time a lawful protest towards the homicide of George Floyd was in progress. This occurred in the course of the pandemic, which made its impression all the more severe each for these of us who dwell right here and for the general public security picture of our metropolis.
Our police division is now totally staffed for the primary time in additional than 20 years and the elevated presence is seen and appreciated. Companies additionally appear to be coming again. It’s good to see that optimistic change is going on and I’ve seen and felt it as I stroll the streets of the town. Our metropolis supervisor, the mayor and different leaders are making sluggish however regular progress and locals and vacationers are starting to return to downtown.
Steve Tarzynski, Santa Monica
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To the editor: One issue not talked about within the article is Santa Monica’s efforts to drive out cars from the downtown space.
Bike and bus lanes and more and more scarce and costly parking make it tougher for buyers, vacationers, diners and different prospects to get there. It’s a noble thought to cut back site visitors, however the mass transit choices are inadequate and unappealing for most individuals.
For instance, for me to take a bus to Santa Monica, I must drive midway there and attempt to discover avenue parking near Wilshire or Santa Monica boulevards after which look forward to the bus. A five-mile journey that takes 10 minutes by automobile would flip into an hour every method. Why trouble?
Michael E. Mahler, Los Angeles
