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Council hopefuls question RB’s ‘Heart of the city’
by Jason Dietrich
Contenders for Redondo Beach City Council seats are taking aim at the Heart of the City, Redondo Beach’s ambitious project to redevelop its waterfront.
At a candidate’s forum held Thursday, two of the council hopefuls panned the plan as not being in the best interest of citizens in either north or south Redondo.
Deputy California Attorney General Conrad Schroeder and local businessman James Coleman said the money the city has spent on planning a revitalization of the harbor area could better be better spent enhancing public services like the police and fire departments.
Schroeder is vying with Planning Commissioner Kurt Schmalz to replace termed-out Councilman Bob Pinzler in North Redondo’s District 4. Coleman is running against Councilman Kevin Sullivan in District 2, which includes the area the "Heart of the City" plan proposes to rework.
Sullivan, who took some of the credit for the downsizing of the AES powerplant in preparation for the development in the harbor area, said keeping the Heart of the City plan rolling would bring new life to the waterfront.
"This is the kind of opportunity you don’t want to overlook," he said.
Coleman said he was against a redevelopment plan with the scope of the Heart of the City, and would rather see the pier and International Boardwalk area upgraded.
"We can spend our money in other ways than by reconstructing Redondo Beach. It’s very congested there the way it is now. And they’re talking about doubling the number of cars that come through there. One of the reasons I moved down here is that it’s a sleepy beach town, and I’d like to keep it that way," Coleman said.
A similar clash of ideas is being played out in North Redondo.
Schroeder flatly objected to investment in a new waterfront downtown, saying it could be better spent upgrading the area around Artesia Boulevard.
"We’ve recently regained control of Artesia, and I’d like to see us make it a great place to do business."
Schmalz said that attention also needs to be paid to developing business along Artesia Boulevard, but backed the Heart of the City plan.
"Having a town square, a meeting place for all the community, is something I’d like to see us pursue. All of Redondo can benefit by this kind of development," he said. ER