SB Galleria – A Time to Celebrate North Redondo
This past Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved the South Bay Galleria revitalization project. This is a big win for ALL residents of Redondo Beach with a $900MM investment back into our community. In all fairness – credit should be given to all the appellants for creating more opportunity to discuss and refine elements of the project’s parameters. But as is unfortunately the case in “politics” we are already seeing some using what should be celebrated as the result of a broad team effort – instead as a means to continue divisive behavior, pat their own backs and deride others.
The “political theater” of a council meeting does not reflect the time, energy, conversations, ideas and changes that came about over the past 3.5 years. And it does not reflect the continued conversations and advocacy that are still necessary regardless of a decision on entitlements. For example – I plan to continue working with QIC on bringing a real community services oriented entity to their project. QIC and myself have been in discussions with a potential vendor. I wish I could say more, but I am not allowed to use or discuss their name. Keep your fingers crossed though, because it would create an incredible addition to the Galleria for our North Redondo residents and families.
Some decisions this council made in recent years had a direct impact on further contributions QIC is making to our community like:
• $7.5MM contribution to Quimby Fees which goes specifically to local area parks
• $6MM contribution to the John Parsons Public Art Fund
Councilwoman Emdee and I have been meeting with the Galleria’s owners (Forest City and now QIC) both together and separately since we were elected. Many of our ideas we fought for made it into their final project and came as a result of numerous discussions including:
- the addition of an office space component to attract tech and startups
- downsizing the overall amount of residential units
- ensuring any residential had incentives built in to attract active duty LA Air Force Base service men and women
- ensuring any residential had a 20% affordable component
- connecting the SCE Right of Way / bike path to the project
- improving Public Safety aspects / including a Police substation
- creating more open space
- expanding the setbacks / sidewalks around the perimeter
So, while a handful of conditions or changes were made or refined as a result of continuing October’s Public Hearing, the vast majority of them were already discussed with city staff and QIC reps prior to October or at that first hearing.
One new addition which should be attributed specifically to the Mayor is the addition of a skate park. I hope his request proves to be a successful and attractive amenity.
Some other new conditions are as follows:
• the existing parking garage will have sound and speed mitigation included
• extending recycled water pipe to the site
• $1MM contribution to Artesia Blvd. for street enhancements or further traffic improvements that were not already outlined as necessary in the Environmental Impact report
The project is estimated to be completed in about 4 years. It’s a time to celebrate a team effort and a win for North Redondo… Getting Things Done.