Lompoc voters will be asked to approve or deny Measure R2024, which would transfer taxpayer-owned property at Ken Adam Park to a private developer. You’ll get a chance to make your choice between now and Nov. 5.
In a recent blast email, Pale Blue Dot claimed that: “We are closer than ever to turning the Space Base California dream into a reality with the recent signing of the Lease/Development Agreement with the City of Lompoc.”
However, in looking over the agreement, it is very limited in scope and only allows PBD to “conduct reasonable environmental investigations” and specifically says they “shall not construct any permanent alterations to, or permanent structures on, the Premises.”
More than five years ago, in July 2019, the city of Lompoc began negotiations exclusively with Pale Blue Dot, a private developer, toward a proposed eventual development of a space center project on about 82 acres of city-owned property, including and adjacent to Ken Adam Park.
There have been several attempts by PBD since then to convince the City Council that their project has legs; so far all have failed.
According to an April 2023 staff report, it took PBD from 2019 to 2022 to “show evidence of amassing seed funding in the amount of at least $750,000, including at least $500,000 in cash” to keep talks going.
After five years of discussions, PBD has only met the minimum requirements but has yet to demonstrate that they have funding commitments for construction of their project.
But some of those proposals have also indicated that visitors would stop for a visit and then travel as far north as San Louis Obispo or south the Santa Barbara for their overnight stay.
And that retail, food, beverage and other services would be offered on site. Of course, this meant most of any new revenue would not benefit existing Lompoc businesses.
They offered proposals that attempted to show that the city and local businesses would receive large sums of revenue because of their project. In a recent mailer they promise “$5 million in new revenue for city services” and “350 full-time jobs.”
As a planning commissioner for many years, I heard proposals like this many times, and none of them ever produced projected revenue.
The PBD “final experience design plan,” presented to the City Council in April 2023, is a 114-page sales pitch meant to dazzle the reader.
The City Council requested the PBD plan be reviewed by an independent expert in theme park projects. The review (see December 2023 staff report) revealed numerous unresolved issues with the PBD plan.
According to the December 2023 meeting minutes:
“Council Member Cordova asked Staff if the return of the land to the City would be a simple matter if this project failed to be completed. City Attorney Jeff Malawy stated there are true risks of the land not being returned to the City even if Pale Blue Dot fails to produce the proposed project.
“Even if a reverter is included in the negotiations and approved by both parties, if Pale Blue Dot does not just sign over the land back to the City, this could become a matter to be decided in the courts, which could be quite expensive and without a guarantee the City would receive the land.”
According to a Noozhawk report: “Mayor Jenelle Osborne said it would be corporate welfare since Pale Blue Dot is “a private company looking to profit from a public gift.”
Purchasing 82 acres for $1 million, even with all the limitations, is a steal in today’s California real estate market.
That doesn’t sound like the best use of taxpayer resources.
Should Lompoc voters give Ken Adam Park to a developer who hasn’t been able to secure construction funding commitments in five years?
You decide, but before you do, make sure you know who benefits most, city residents or the developer.
References:
Lompoc City Voters to Decide Fate of Ken Adam Park | Local News | Noozhawk
Apr 18, 2023 staff report: 638170695199770000 (cityoflompoc.com)
April 18th minutes (see item #8): 638222566978070000 (cityoflompoc.com)
Final experience design plan, December 2022: Microsoft Word – 122722 CalSpace EDP FINAL V9 (cityoflompoc.com)
December 2023 staff report: 638370395211000000 (cityoflompoc.com)
Limited lease agreement: 638515370413970000 (cityoflompoc.com)
