SMC Puts Bond Measure To Voters

$160 million would finance campus capital improvements

Clara Sturak
Associate editor

   On March 5, voters in the Santa Monica-Malibu Community College District will have the opportunity to vote on a $160 million bond measure (Measure “U”) for capital improvement projects at Santa Monica College (SMC).
   As a result of Proposition 39, passed by California voters in November 2000, the measure needs only 55 percent of the vote to pass, as opposed to the two-thirds margin previously needed.
   There is no formal opposition to the measure, and no argument against it was presented in the voter handbook that is distributed to all registered voters in the District.
   The argument for the bond measure is signed by State Senator Sheila Kuehl; Dr. Patrick Nichelson, Chair of the SMC Board of Trustees; Santa Monica Council member Herb Katz; Dennis Zane, Co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights; and Malibu Mayor Joan House — which, says SMC Director of Marketing Don Girard, indicates that the measure has a broad range of support in the community.
   The bond, the first for SMC in ten years, would cover the bulk of the cost of a planned $195 million in improvements to the college. The balance of the funds will be found elsewhere.
   Approval of the bond measure would also qualify SMC for millions of dollars in matching funds from the State of California.
   In 2001, SMC commissioned a Facilities Assessment Report from 3D/International. The consulting group found that 27 of 32 buildings analyzed were in need of repair or retrofitting, and recommended that four of those be demolished for safety reasons.
   It also concluded that it would be impossible for SMC to continue to provide quality educational programs to students on the main campus alone, and advised that satellite campuses be added within the District.
   According to SMC President Piedad Robertson, the college intends to address the issues of safety, access and space brought to light in the 3D report using Measure “U” bond funds. The list of projects to be financed under Measure “U” includes:
   • Replacement of the earthquake-damaged Liberal Arts building
   • A new Student Services Center to relocate programs out of temporary buildings and to restore campus open space
   • Construction of a new addition to the Science Complex for Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences, Math and related programs
   • Acquisition of property to provide off-campus parking
   • A new home for the Emeritus College for older adults
   • Construction of underground parking garages
   • Construction of a new Literacy Center building
   • Renovation of the Main Stage Theater to meet modern teaching standards
   • Modernization and renovation of the Student Activities Building
   • Central utility plant and distribution system to reduce energy costs and improve the environment
Measure “U” funds will not be used to finance the Madison Performing Arts Center, nor will any monies go to SMC’s Academy of Entertainment and Technology.
   At the time the master plan was completed and financial needs decided upon, SMC had not yet purchased the BAE property located at the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Airport. But, as fate would have it, the cost of the property was built into the master plan – and into plans for how Measure “U” funds would be spent, almost to the dollar. Says Girard, “The remarkable thing is, there was enough money that had been identified [for purchase of property for buildings and parking]. It equals [the] $30 million [cost of the BAE property].”
   So, in part, Measure “U” funds will go towards paying for and renovating property that SMC has already purchased.
   Having battled with the College on issues from traffic to parking over the years, some neighbors of SMC’s main campus are less than thrilled with, and more than a little wary of, SMC’s plans. Although Robertson insists that the BAE property will relieve the main campus of overcrowding and the problems that come with it, some believe that SMC intends to use Measure “U” bond funds and the purchase of the BAE property to expand its services and enroll more students.
   Peter Tigler, president of the Pico Neighborhood Association, longtime opponents of SMC projects that bring excessive traffic to Pico neighborhood, says PNA doesn’t take positions on political issues, but adds that he will not be voting for Measure “U”. “Personally, I’ll save my money for the K-12 district,” he says, “[Measure “U”] is unrestricted construction funds, which means they can do anything they want, and SMC hasn’t been a very good neighbor in the past.”
   In a letter to the editor in last week’s Mirror, Santa Monica resident Zina Josephs detailed her case against the bond measure, including concerns about increased enrollment, pedestrian safety and whether the large bond would impact the success of future Santa Monica-Malibu School District bond measures. (Girard’s response to Josephs’ letter is on page 5 in this issue).
   Most bond measures pass easily in Santa Monica, and this one looks to be no exception. And, thanks to very low interest rates, the cost of the bond to district residents will be lower than expected – an estimated monthly cost of $6.42 for homeowners and $1.12 for renters.
   Robertson is confident that district voters are with SMC. “The community supports this college,” she says, “and SMC has an impact on quality of life in Santa Monica…There isn’t a week that goes by that [SMC] doesn’t have something for someone in this community.”
   Adds Girard, “This is a city that believes in education.”