SR 02-13-2024 16D
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: February 13, 2024
Agenda Item: 16.D
1 of 1
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Nikima Newsome, Interim City Clerk, Records and Election Services
Department
Subject: Request of Councilmember de la Torre and Councilmember Zwick that that
the City Council direct the City Manager to create an economic support
program to ensure that the Bergamot Station Arts Center is thriving and
continues to be a leading arts and cultural hub. In developing this financial
incentive program for Bergamot, the City Manager is being asked to consider
alternatives such as, but not limited to, investing in tenant improvements to
create smaller spaces that are more affordable in an effort to attract new
tenants and retain existing tenants, allocating additional City funding to help
reduce property management fees that are currently borne by the tenants,
helping tenants access technical assistance to support business operations,
and, to the extent resources allow, consider limited economic supports based
on demonstrated need for tenants that receive technical assistance to support
and sustain business operations.
Prepared By: Nikima Newsome, Interim City Clerk
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Written Comments
16.D
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1
David Yakobson
From:Cynthia Rose <Cynthia.Rose@SaMoSafeStreets.org>
Sent:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 2:19 PM
To:councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Lana
Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; David White
Cc:cris.gutierrez@samosafestreets.org
Subject:Support for Item 16D Bergamot Economic Support Program
Attachments:2024-02 SaMoSSA Support Item 16D.pdf
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council and City Manager
Please see the attached support letter from the Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance supporting Council's direction to the
City Manger in item 16D to create an economic support program for Bergamot Arts Center.
--
Cynthia Rose & Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chairs
Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
SaMoSafeStreets.org
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
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February 13, 2024
RE: Support Item 16D Support Bergamot Economic Support Program
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members:
The Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance firmly supports the direction to the City Manager in Item 16D to create an
economic support program for the vitality of the Bergamot Station Arts Center. Bringing into play innovative means of
generating opportunities for additional affordable spaces for new tenants to add funds to this hub and heart of Santa
Monica’s art realm is a wonderful commitment.
Bergamot has long proven to be a cultural gem, welcoming artists and audiences to be invigorated, enjoying experiences
that stretch open the mind, feed consciousness and engage the community with craft and creativity. An economic
support program for Bergamot would catalyze all kinds of possibilities to keep the arts alive in Santa Monica for our
community to appreciate and be enriched for today and for future generations.
We trust that the Council will affirm its support of the Bergamot Art complex and its invaluable contribution to our
community and the region.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Rose Cris Gutierrez
Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Street Alliance Co-Chair, Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
SaMoSafeStreets.org
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
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1
David Yakobson
From:Bruria Finkel <bruriafinkel@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, February 12, 2024 4:34 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Bergamot Art Center
Attachments:Doc3.docx
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
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bruriafinkel@gmail.com
Santa Monica, CA |
3102514299
Website: bruriafinkel.com
2.12.24
Dear Mayor and council members
About Bergamot Art Center
My name is Bruria Finkel I have lived in Santa Monic more then 65 years.
I have been deeply involved volunteering my time to the city by being one of the
founders of the “Arts Commission” in 1982 served for 15 years. Elected to Rent
“Control Bord “in 1993 for 7 years and set on the “Downtown Bord” (DTSM)
for 8 years until 2022 .
Yes, I support the requests that are being presented to the City
Council by the galleries at Bergamot Art Center.
I have been receiving many requests to support this item on your agenda and I
would like to inform some of you in a few words and tell you of the early times of
Bergamot Art Center.
Bergamot was created for the Arts the business of selling art in this city, at that
time we hoped that we could also create Artist’s studios for working artists, but
the Gallerists thought that it would be ab unfair competition for their business.
We directed our attention to the Airport and helped to Create the Artists’ studios
Spaces that will be Artists’ studios creating art and will not compete with the
Gallery business and will allow the artist to be able to do their own programing
and business with collectors. This solution has worked for almost 25 years.
The City Council agreed to have 41% of the land in the South side of the
Airport
Dedicated to working artist studious, the first was created by Sherry Frumkin/
Yossi Govrin.
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
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Who Created the Artists’ studios by transforming a large old Hanger to some of
the best studio’s spaces in Los Angeles and functioned for 15 years well and
cooperated well for the city event and the artist’s needs.
Three years ago, 18 street received the City contract to run the place and changed
the Name to 18 street studios.
In general, we do not necessarily recommend support for private enter- prize in
the arts, At the start the galleries were only subsidized by low rents since they all
functioned as private enterprises, the spaces were never Ideal there was no
heaters or air-condition.
The city engaged itself in a competition among developers to recommend away to
create an art center that will also be able to house the Santa Monica Museum.
This is a long story, and I can tell you more about it if you wish.
Bergamot is an essential part of the program of supporting the arts in the city and
many of the galleries cannot afford to partake with the Freeze Event or other
Art-fairs events since they are very costly and the need for the community around
Bergamot was and is still essential to keep as an art center.
Glad you are extending Freeze the contract it will help the city they spend good
money here at restaurant hotels etc...
Support the Arts and our artists, to nurture the soul of Santa Monica.
Bruria Finkel
Santa Monica Ca
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
Item 16.D.
February 13, 2024
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