What Is Obvious
While I have been encouraged by some officials to believe that my goals were the same as the city’s, with each new rejection, it has become clear that the city is expert in lip service. It also is obvious that they want me to now quietly accept a miniscule value for my property, remove all support services from my four properties on National Boulevard, which houses one-half of my staff and generates the majority of my company’s income, and just go away. Unspoken directly but still suggested is that the retail cash and carry store and the “little” café will be targeted by the city Redevelopment Agency later. Mr. Rose cannot be such a naïve businessman to honestly suggest that I invest more of my money into improving this ill-fated location. Could he not know that the other corners of National and Washington boulevards have sold to private parties that are going to develop their sites without the city’s involvement. This rush on my property and all of the other properties on National makes me wonder. How long can it take for the “concept” of this Redevelopment project to become a reality? How many years will this property sit vacant before work starts?
Could it be Prop. 90 coming up on this November’s ballot in only a matter of weeks? This ballot questions the ability of government to take private property from one private owner and give it to another private owner to develop. Makes you think doesn’t it?
The Surfas Plan
On Monday, Aug. 7, I approached the last forum left for me, our Culver City City Council. I submitted a proposal which would have minimal cost to the city. It would have allowed me to keep my whole operation in Culver City intact at this time while fully supporting the concept of the redevelopment as laid out so far by the city. But, it was obvious to me when the City Council/Redevelopment Agency and their legal counsel took a break to go into private session before I could speak. My turn was next. Highly unusual. After I presented my proposal, it was not even addressed. They were a united front, solidified in private session at a public forum. It was as if the jury had deliberated prior to hearing the facts. But, I guess Councilwoman Carol Gross said it best. Her foolish comment of the night was that they did not want a warehouse next to the Metro Line. Again, I agree with her and have always agreed on the Transit Friendly Redevelopment of this property. I do understand, but obviously for the last two years no one has been listening to a word I had to say. This ludicrous situation makes me think that if this City Council had been seated when the studios were growing in Culver City, they would have been run out of town.
IN RESPONSE TO MR. ROSE’s SUMMARY:
Why didn’t I build a bigger project on my new site? I spent a year and a half working with the city on the site but then they did not proceed on securing it. This left me to buy and develop alone with NO help from the city. This was a last resort for my business. In the 12 months we spent in what we thought was a city-backed project, my store lost the lease.
If this was a ploy to get more money, I would not have still been submitting ideas on Aug. 7th that would have enabled the city to not have to buy me out and Surfas could continue working along with the city.
Fair Market Value. This one is easy to understand. It is obvious that the city cannot find any (replacement) in the area because if they did it would prove they have offered me less than fair market value.
Have known about it for years! Oh, yes. And for years have been trying to work out something with the Redevelopment Agency and with the city. Yet, they have let another private property owner become an owner/participant in this city Redevelopment project. This option was not offered to me. I wonder why.
Mr. Surfas is the owner of Surfas Restaurant Supply and Gourmet Foods. His late father founded the business in 1937.
