New Homes At Bruce's Beach? Hotel? Manhattan Beach Man Posits

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Editor's Note: This is a Letter to the Editor.

PREVIOUSLY: Manhattan Beach Resident Wants More Than Plaque For Bruce's Beach

What is meant by "reparations?" It's unclear, as it has become a politically charged phrase. But one form of reparations is vehemently opposed by some folks: new taxes to address discrimination that happened generations ago, not perpetrated by current taxpayers. It is fortunate that we may correct the injustice of Bruce’s Beach without new taxes.

The crime of Bruce's Beach is defined, the perpetrators are known, the victims’ families are identified. And the means of righting the wrong is under our feet: the land. We don’t need taxes. I have proposed two solutions that would actually generate funds for the city. One, to build the Bruce’s Beach Hotel and Conference Center. This would be a shining example to the country, a physical location in which to have difficult but necessary conversations about racial reconciliation. And it would pay a royalty to the Bruce family for the something they indisputably own: their name. Such a property would generate millions of dollars of revenue to the city in perpetuity.

Hotel too intrusive for you? Then sell the land to a developer to create homes, like everywhere else in town. Even just the middle third, which would have no impact on views and still allow for a park, would generate tens of millions of dollars that could be used for educational programs and a royalty to the Bruce family.

These solutions require no new taxes. These are not controversial "reparations," but simply making right a wrong done in the name of our city.

—Christopher O'Brien, Manhattan Beach

PREVIOUSLY: Manhattan Beach Resident Wants More Than Plaque For Bruce's Beach