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By Lookout Staff
June 11 -- In April, Kathleen Rawson
marked her 10th year as executive director of the Bayside
District Corporation.
The Lookout recently asked her to look back at the changes
that have taken place Downtown, the role of the board
and the upcoming challenges facing what has become a major
destination. |
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1. You’ve been executive director of the
Bayside District for ten years now. What are the biggest changes
you've seen Downtown?
We’ve matured into a world-class destination that has
really solidified in the last ten years. There’s more
community attention – and political attention –
Downtown than ever before. Over the years, there’s been
a dramatic shift and a dramatic turn. Santa Monica influences,
including the maturity of the city as a tourist destination,
and national influences, such as economic forces beyond the
city’s control, have contributed into making Downtown
what it is today.
2. What role has the Bayside played in these changes,
and how much of it has been dictated by market forces?
The Bayside has become a very active manager of Downtown.
There are things within our control, such as policy issues,
and things outside our control, such as economic forces or
national disasters like 911. But the focus of the board is
to protect the vitality of Downtown for both residents and
visitors. Over the years, we’ve led community discussions
on important issues, including the creation of the Downtown
Parking Task Force, which evaluated and made long-term recommendations
to address parking and traffic Downtown. We also initiated
the Promenade Uses Task Force, which evaluated the balances
of restaurants and retail Downtown and the needs and desires
of the community for the rest of our maturity. Both led to
actions by the City Council.
3. The Bayside’s management structure may
change. If approved, the boundaries of the district will expand,
more businesses will be assessed and property owners will
have an equal say in how the money is spent. What impact will
this have on the Bayside?
If people agree with the new assessments, which will address
the three core challenges facing the Bayside – parking
and traffic circulation, the maintenance in Downtown and issues
related to transients – the organization will need to
change completely. Not only will the governance of the
board change, but the work of Bayside will expand to include
a greater maintenance function, operation of an ambassador
program and implementation of the Downtown Parking Task Force’s
recommendations.
4. The homeless problem perhaps remains the
single biggest issue facing the Downtown. What will it take
to more effectively address this problem?
Clearly, a global approach to the homeless problem in Downtown
is what’s needed – neighboring communities taking
in more responsibility and providing more services and funds
for the homeless population. The Bayside has successfully
called for laws prohibiting camping in Downtown doorways and
limiting the distribution of free food in City parks by groups
from outside Santa Monica who are not linked to local social
services. Despite this progress, there is still much to be
done. Here in Downtown, our hope is that the ambassador program
will not only be able to link transients to services they
need, they will also be the eyes and ears of Downtown to help
address nuisance crimes and create a better sense of on-street
management that people can rely on.
5. What are the biggest challenges facing the Downtown?
The desire to balance the community’s stated wishes
while maximizing private sector dollars. Downtown Santa Monica
generates over $20 million a year for the city, but in doing
so, we provide a community gathering place, a major retail
destination, we host one of the largest farmers markets
in the country. We know Santa Monicans use their Downtown
on a regular basis. Striking that balance is a really difficult
task. Our board is not interested in the highest dollar, we’re
interested in this being a community center, but at the same
time, our community shops and banks and eats out and goes
to movies here.
6. What is your vision for Downtown Santa Monica
in ten years?
My vision for Downtown is that of a true neighborhood with
a very active residential community, vibrant retail, quality
restaurants and a safe environment where people will want
to continue to spend their free time.
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