20/20 Foresight

We rarely hear of government actions that turned out to be spectacular public investments in our future. A few that come to mind are Secretary of State William Seward’s $7.2 million deal to buy Alaska from Russia in 1867, and California’s $1.75 billion Burns-Porter Act, which gave birth to the State Water Project (though some might argue its growth-inducing impacts have spawned other challenges).

It’s high time to recognize the genius of a more contemporary government action which, like “Seward’s Folly” and the California Aqueduct, was viciously criticized at the time by nearsighted foes.

In 2001, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national land conservation organization, made a deal with Playa Vista developers on behalf of the state to purchase nearly 190 acres of land located west of Lincoln Boulevard between Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey. The agreement -- covering the 139-acre parcel north of Ballona Creek and 54 acres of residential-zoned land south of Ballona Creek -- was the first step toward eventual public ownership of the 190 acres for a variety of purposes, including wetland creation and restoration, nature preserves, and active urban park space. The northern parcel was piled 15 feet high with dirt dredged during Marina Del Rey’s construction in the 1950s, and will be excavated and restored to wetland habitat as part of the coming Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project.

The deal eventually had the state buying about 193 acres from Playa Vista developers, who also agreed to donate nearly 300 additional acres and to waive their right to buy and develop the 64-acre parcel east of Lincoln Boulevard. In total, California took ownership of 490 acres for $139 million, or about $284,000/acre.

The deal was roundly criticized at the time by the same so-called environmentalist groups who continue to oppose sensible habitat restoration projects around the region, including the Malibu Lagoon. Tom Francis, executive director at that time of the Ballona Wetlands Land Trust, said the deal was “a disservice to taxpayers, future generations and the environment.” (1) But Mark Gold, then executive director of Heal the Bay, said “30 years from now, our grandchildren won’t care what we paid for these precious wetlands.” Gold proved to be the forward-looking one.

In December of last year, the L.A. Times reported that Google was purchasing 12 acres of undeveloped commercial land in Playa Vista, purportedly to build a new headquarters building for its employees currently working in Santa Monica and other west L.A. locations. The purchase price was reportedly $120 million, or $10 million /acre – nearly fourty times what was paid for the Ballona lands.

The land purchased in 2001 is today part of the 600-acre Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and slated for major restoration in the coming years. When finished, the restored habitat and regulated public access will rival Griffith Park as one of the largest preserved public open spaces in the Los Angeles region. A wise government investment indeed.

Enjoy your Ballona Wetlands!

(1) Los Angeles Times. August 16, 2003. Deal for Preserving Wetlands is Near.