Business Weighs in on Proposed Homeless Facility

By Jorge Casuso

August 4 -- Not so fast. That was the message unanimously sent Monday by the Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee to the City Council, which is scheduled to vote on funding for a homeless facility in the Pico Neighborhood next Tuesday.

The committee's recommendation, which will be taken up by the chamber's executive committee hours before the council convenes, is the first official action taken by the business community concerning the proposed facility at Cloverfield Boulevard and Michigan Avenue in the City's industrial corridor.

Echoing the concerns of Pico residents that there has been scant public participation, the committee asked for a public hearing before the City's looming decision on whether to fund the $7 million facility near businesses and residences that will serve 200 homeless and shelter 55.

The center, which will be owned and operated by the Ocean Park Community Center, already is in escrow, the agency's executive director told the committee. Official announcement that OPCC had found a site to replace the current facility at Seventh Street and Colorado Avenue to make way for the expansion of the bus yards came less than one-month ago.

"It's being ramroded," said Chamber Chair Dr. Michael Gruning. "We don't want it funded before it's discussed."

"The horse is already out of the barn," said incoming chair Nat Trives. "We should defer action until a larger public hearing can be held on the project. We want to have a public hearing with fairness."

Several businesses near the proposed site decried the lack of public process from a City that prides itself on community input.

"I am extremely concerned about the location of this," said Frank Lloyd, whose Bergamot Station gallery is less than a block from the site. "Has the business community of Begamot ever been advised of this?" he asked OPCC executive director John Maceri.

Maceri said that he had met with six gallery owners individually. Lloyd then presented him with a petition with 36 signatures representing 24 galleries that oppose the facility.

Sam Kardashian, whose company Southern California Disposal is located down a short winding road from the proposed site, said his business already is overrun with homeless.

"I get so tired cleaning up after these guys," Kardashian said. "I think this OP whatever it is should be out of town, not my town."

"Have you looked other than Santa Monica?" longtime businessman and former councilman Bob Gabriel asked Maceri.

"No." Maceri answered.

Maceri, who made a brief opening statement before fielding questions, addressed concerns that the facility would lure more homeless into an area that includes a park, an elementary school and major businesses, including a grocery chain store.

Although the two-story facility is surrounded by a fence, Maceri said, "it's not a prison. It's not a jail. When people receive the services, they're free.

"I cannot sit here and guarantee that we can control people's movements," Maceri said. "The question is, 'How do we mitigate so it doesn't disrupt the businesses and residences in the area."

Half a dozen members of the Pico Neighborhood Association -- which released a video lambasting Maceri's claims that the center would pose no threat or inconvenience to residences -- urged the business community to get involved, noting that the site near the Cloverfield Freeway ramp is "virtually a gateway to the city."

"It's a project that is severely lacking in real detail," said PNA chair Don Gray. "There will be effects on the business community. Those close will feel the most impact."

Gray noted that the facility would create more foot traffic on a wide intersection with narrow sidewalks and crosswalks that are not well defined.

Maceri acknowledged the problem. "That's something that we're concerned about as well," he said.

Maceri denied that OPCC and the City were trying to "sneak (the facility) under the radar," noting that 1,300 notices had been mailed to residents and businesses within a 2,000-foot radius.

He also noted that escrow is scheduled to close in October, and OPCC needs the $7 million in loans and grants the council is scheduled to vote on next week.