Mall secrets

A July 29 letter from Santa Monica City Councilman Herb Katz stated that the redevelopment of Santa Monica Mall will proceed “publicly, transparently, honestly.” If it does, it will be in spite of the city and the developer’s efforts, not because of them.

Recently, residents had to sue the city to force it to release public documents about secret city/developer negotiations. These negotiations resulted in a massive, high-density proposal that met widespread opposition over its disastrous effect on traffic. The developer commissioned a survey of residents that only asked about the positive attributes of a new mall. The word “traffic” was never mentioned. What residents need is true transparency, honesty and real public participation.

VICTOR FRESCO

Santa Monica Coalition

for a Livable City