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The unanimous vote last evening by which the City Council affirmed the recommended historical status for the Culver City Ice Arena was deceptive because outright enthusiasm for the project was limited to two members, the mayor and the vice mayor.
The more interesting scenario was the substantial gap between an outpouring of tee-shirt- wearing ice rink supporters who hope to reopen the building and the sober Councilpersons who undertook the vote as a matter of bookkeeping.
Led by skating instructor Shannon Takahashi, a chanting group of skaters and their families stood at the curb in front of City Hall before the meeting. Hoisting a huge sign that screamed “Save Our Rink,” they appealed to the steady dinner-hour traffic along Culver Boulevard, to passersby and to the crowd arriving for the Council meeting.
Ms. Takahashi’s rally stirred interest – of the transitory type?
Is the well-known energy of the rink’s most passionate patrons and employees sufficient to influence the decision-making of property owner Michael Karagozian?
He and his son were in Council Chambers but did not speak.
He has not publicly shown an inclination to restore the rink environment. Prospects are graded as muddy.
Further, it was reported that the City Council’s vote may tack on a new expense for the Karagozians, possibly $50,000 to obtain and environmental impact review.
Reopening the legendary Ice Arena — that will have been dark for six months as of Saturday – appeared unrelated to the 5-0 vote in the opinion of most observers.
Former Councilman Steve Rose, the one public figure to speak out against the designation before the meeting, reacted wryly to the vote.
“It is much easier for people to discuss their dreams than to deal with reality,” he said.
For awhile, there was doubt whether the Cultural Affairs Commission’s recommendation of “Significant” historical status – the middle of three potential rankings for the 52-year-old building – would pass.
For nearly two hours of drama, a city-hired consultant and 14 speakers – 13 in support of the proposal – made the case for granting the designation.
Reading the faces of the Council members, Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and Vice Mayor Mehaul O’Leary were exuberant about the suggested labeling.
Messrs. Jim Clarke, Andy Weissman and Jeff Cooper were judged between neutral and non-enthusiastic.
Reviving the literary spectre of Bill Shakespeare, Mr. Weissman and Mr. Clarke rhetorically shrugged, suggesting making such a foo-fah over rather a bookkeeping matter was “much ado about nothing.”
What changed?
Logic and common sense may have intervened.
“Lacking a basis to challenge the expert’s subjective findings with our own subjective opinions,” said Mr. Weissman, the prudent response was to vote for designation.
Not, he added, that the vote alters any circumstances skaters are concerned about.
“It has nothing to do with use,” said Mr. Weissman. “It doesn't prevent the building from being repurposed or changed and merely adds a third discretionary act the Council would be called upon to make when the property owner comes forward with a different use.”
