“The Times They Aren’t Changin” - 20 Years Ago in
Venice
“Venice Land-Rush Continues,” blared
the lead article by Moe Stavnezer in the 1984 Beachhead. He reported on new
development projects on the Ocean Front Walk including the “Bath
House” building at Breeze, plans to turn the Cadillac into a
bed-and-breakfast hotel and Tom Saffran’s plans for condos/senior housing
and commercial space on the north end. That plan was much scaled down and took
nearly 20 years before it produced a senior building. Moe also reported a
rumored plan to turn the Speedway into a freeway! He also mentioned
merchants’ plans to change the name of West Washington Blvd. to Abbot
Kinney Blvd.
Down in the canals, Moe marveled about the
$400,000 homes, 70 percent of whose owners have just voted for an assessment
district to refurbish the waterways and rebuild the sidewalks, many of which had
fallen into the water.
Moving down to
the Peninsula (not yet the “Marina” Peninsula), Moe said the city
owned 50 lots there and was contemplating a trade for “unbuildable”
lots on the western edge of the Lagoon where it would build parking to increase
access to the beach. That didn’t happen, but the lots did fall into
private hands.
Offshore drilling
became a “save our neighborhood” issue when the always-wise L.A.
City Council voted to permit up to 100 wells a couple of miles north of Venice.
Venice councilmember Pat Russell was among those endorsing the drilling.
Presumably, Mayor Bradley vetoed the scheme as he had four years
before.
There were also front-page
reports on the Venice Town Council and the decrepit condition of Penmar Avenue
and Venice Blvd.
Neighbors were up in
arms about the noise and fumes from the RTD’s main street bus lot. The RTD
(now MTA) had complied a list of 10 alternative sites for the maintenance
facility.
There was an article about
the first annual “African and Black American Film Festival” at the
Fox Venice theater. A movie criticizing the treatment of gays in Cuba was
reviewed.
There was the usual page of
poetry! Advertisers included the Tenant Action Center, The Venice Village of
restaurants and shops at 205 OFW, the Lafayette Coffee Shop, Cafe Sunlight at
Pacific and Windward, El Camino Real Mexican Restaurant at 1519 Lincoln (now
Staples), the Westside Women’s Clinic, Eva Soltysik DDS at 1608 Pacific,
Val’s Pharmacy, the Venice Food Co-Op, Thomas’ Burgers, and
“Survival Day 84” on the anniversary of the bombing of
Hiroshima.
Twenty years ago, the
Beachhead was enjoying a renaissance with 20 collective members and 44
advertisements. Both of those numbers would be welcomed
today!
-compiled by Jim
Smith
Posted: Wed - September 1, 2004 at 03:39 PM