The plan to save the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was revealed in an understated item at last week’s council meeting.
The Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to enter negotiations with Revitalization Partners Group, LLC (RPG) to restore and operate the historic Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. RPG, a consortium of experts in live entertainment, real estate development, finance, and historic preservation, includes Geyser Holdings, The Azoff Company, The Make Good Group, Oak View Group, and Live Nation.
RPG's proposal follows the auditorium's closure in 2011 due to seismic issues and its designation as "surplus" land. The council chose RPG from four firms to negotiate an exclusive agreement. RPG will conduct studies on historic preservation, seismic engineering, ADA compliance, and acoustics, and has agreed to pay $350,000 to cover the city's costs.
The firm aims to submit a comprehensive project scope by early 2025.
In May, the resident group "Save the Civic" revealed the significant development regarding the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, announcing that the Santa Monica City Council had advanced a proposal from RPG to restore and operate the historic venue. Despite being discussed in a closed session, no official mention of a vote was made by City Attorney Doug Sloan and up to July 23, the Save the Civic email was the only acknowledgement of the process.
Bea Nemlaha, one of the residents responsible for the Save the Civic group, praised the deal.
"Tonight you have a rare opportunity to protect our city's character and history," she said. "You will do this when you authorize the city manager to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with revitalization Partners Group to restore and operate our civic auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center. In the future, you will be remembered as a council with vision and purpose."
Other historic preservation groups also backed the deal.
"I'm speaking on behalf of the Santa Monica conservancy to express our enthusiastic support of city council approval of the proposition to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Revitalization Partners Group and the next step in the process to revitalize the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium," said Carol Lemlein.
"We all understand that revitalization of this long vacant and cherished historic landmark is very challenging. And we are fortunate that a consortium with the experience, commitment and resources has come forward. The Conservancy and looks forward to continued cooperation and collaboration with the RPG group and the city to investigate existing conditions and develop a successful route vitalization project for the auditorium."
While there was no discussion of the deal at the meeting, Mayor Phil Brock issued a statement after the vote.
"This is an impressive group of experts coming together to make something happen," he said. "I look forward to seeing what they propose and, hopefully, a bright future for this iconic venue."
matt@smdp.com
