LOS ANGELES : Apparel Wholesaler Group Votes to Leave Downtown

Unhappy with downtown crime and high hotel and transportation costs, a group of apparel wholesalers have voted overwhelmingly to move out of the California Mart building in the garment district. Most of them favor relocating in Santa Monica.

The 400 members of the 110 East 9th Street Tenants Assn. reviewed three alternative sites in Santa Monica and the South Bay. Of the more than 300 ballots turned in, 42% were in favor of moving to the 17-acre Water Garden commercial and office complex in Santa Monica, association members announced Friday.

The association board of directors will begin negotiating details of lease terms, marketing and promotions and security with developer J.H. Snyder next week, said Jeff Krinsky, a director.