The Los Angeles times reported today that the Governor has put the Ventura County Fairgrounds on the chopping block–a whopping $70 million.
While the idea of a redeveloped area for surfer’s point could be nice, I am still burdened by this thought.
I know a lot of people want growth and more people and more money, but what made this town great are the locals, not the tourists.
I couldn’t imagine two or three grand hotels on the waterfront there. I am actually rather sad thinking about it…
I know it could be better for everyone–more jobs, more business, more opportunities and don’t forget, home prices are likely to soar if and when a development of that kind should come about…
but I grew up here… I grew up playing in Marina Park as Greenock was lined with bungalows, not mini mansions. I grew up when Pacific View Mall was hip and happening… not as it is today where Target is the main reason to even go to the mall. Now we flock to the Camarillo Outlets.
I remember when downtown was eccelectic, not like it is today where chains are taking over.
I guess it was inevitable. Change is the only constant in life. And it could be for the better.
The most I can say about this is I am just glad I was able to have so many good times at the fair and at various concerts and derbies and be able to hunt for driftwood on the beach.
I am sure such drastic development changes are far away–maybe another 5 to 10 years…
Just makes me a little sad to think about it.
Its not going to happen. If I am informed correctly, that land was given to the county of Ventura by a trust. That trust does not allow them to sell the land. If they try to the land will revert back to the trust and will no longer be owned by the county of Ventura. Again, this is my understanding of the deal…
An update for you, the official info:
The 63-acre fairgrounds might possess million-dollar ocean views, but its current operators say selling the site for private development would dishonor the wishes of the E.P. Foster family, which donated the Seaside Park land to the public in 1909.
“The grant deed for this property states it cannot be sold, only deeded back to the heirs of the Foster family,” Barbara Boester-Quaid, the fairgrounds CEO, said Thursday. That’s one reason, she said, that previous campaigns by cash-strapped state officials to sell off the grounds went nowhere.
Even if a private entity were to gain control of the fairgrounds, any changes — such as oceanfront housing — would require lengthy approvals from the Ventura City Council and the state Coastal Commission, powerful coastal regulators not fond of reducing public access to the beach.
“There would be a lot more hurdles to go through than for a property the state owns outright,” said Michael Bradbury, fair board president.
Phil Foster Ranger, a great-grandson of E.P. Foster, said his great-grandparents gave the acreage “for the benefit of the entire community.”
The deed specifically states the land shall not be taken for private or corporate profit, he said. “I doubt our governor is even aware of this,” he said.