Save the Civic
Save the Civic
The Santa Monica Civic was closed to public events in 2013 due to costly seismic repair requirements.
The present version of Save the Civic (STC) reformed in 2023 as a citizen movement to restore and re-open the Civic as the arts and cultural venue it was built to be. STC searched for and found the Revitalization Partners Group (RPG), a team with the experience to seismically renovate, restore, and re-open the Civic as a first class music and cultural venue in the heart of Santa Monica, at no cost to the taxpayers.
In July 2024 the City Council unanimously voted to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with RPG to lease and revitalize the Civic.
Now, in 2025, a new City Council, concerned by economic challenges, may be less committed to the goal of completing negotiations with RPG to bring the Civic back to life. A restored Civic will be a much needed investment for Santa Monica’s long-term economic benefit and reputation as a desirable visitor destination. RPG is the partner the City needs to make that happen.
This is a reverse chronology of the history of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and the public effort to revitalize it over the last 12 years:
January 30, 2025
FireAid, a massive benefit concert, conceived, executed, and led by Irving Azoff and members of the Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) leadership, raised millions of dollars for victims of wildfires. RPG is the team that has stepped up to restore and operate the Santa Monica Civic as a first-class venue for music and the arts.
January 28 2025
Open ended until now, a newly elected City Council imposed a 30 day deadline on ENA negotiations with the Revitalization Partners Group (RPG).
July 23, 2024
In a victory for residents, our City Council voted to officially enter into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) to upgrade, restore, program, and operate our landmark Civic Auditorium as a vibrant Santa Monica performing arts and cultural center. RPG is a consortium of highly experienced LA based companies: Make Good Group, Geyser Holdings, The (Irving) Azoff Company, Oak View Group, and Live Nation.
May 28, 2024:
Our City Council entered into Closed Session to discuss moving forward with an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with Revitalization Partners Group (RPG) to upgrade, restore, program and operate our landmark Civic Auditorium as a performing arts and cultural center.
While the City has not disclosed the outcome of its Closed Session, it is now drafting an ENA which will contain the parameters necessary for the City and RPG to reach a deal.
March 1, 2024:
In response to the City’s request for proposals, four separate entities submitted plans.
Save the Civic urged Council to move forward without delay to select the most credible, experienced group willing to sign a long-term lease (so residents retain ownership!) to bring our Civic Auditorium back to a world-class performing arts and cultural center.
December 12, 2023
The City Council then moved to authorize the City Manager to invite all interested parties with experience developing and operating world-class concert venues to submit proposals for restoring and operating the Civic. Letters of intent were to be submitted by January 31, 2024.
July 2023:
The City rejected a plan from Community Corp to buy the Civic and erect housing.
October 11, 2022:
The City Council made formal moves to sell off the iconic Civic Auditorium, long shuttered and deteriorating.
Alarmed at the real possibility of our City selling or even demolishing our historic Civic Auditorium, residents reformed Save the Civic.
Save the Civic’s mission has always been clear: publicly owned spaces for music and the arts are rare and important cultural venues. They should be restored, not liquidated, or used for other purposes.
The City rejected a plan from Community Corp to buy the Civic and erect housing. The Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District’s proposal to acquire the site and float a $250 million bond to repurpose it into a competition gym was eventually withdrawn, in part due to intense community opposition organized by Save the Civic.
During this process, Save the Civic found a credible group of investors interested in restoring this historic building and operating it as a world-class performing arts center at no cost to taxpayers.
The City Council then moved to authorize the City Manager to invite all interested parties with experience developing and operating world-class concert venues to submit proposals for restoring and operating the Civic. Letters of intent were to be submitted by January 31, 2024.
2019
The City of Santa Monica, having twice failed at negotiating with concert promoters and venue operators, completely mothballed the Civic Auditorium.
February, 2015
The Civic Working Group finalizes it's report with recommendations for the revitalization of the Civic Auditorium.
June 2013
The Civic was no longer made available for public events.
November 30, 2012
Save the Civic was formed and had it's first meeting at Sal's Pepe's Restaurant.
Originally a citizen group, it later became the Civic Working Group (October 22, 2013-February 9, 2016) under the City's auspices.
Please check back periodically. We will keep you posted on progress in realizing the dream of a re-opened Civic.
