Restaurant Owner Wonders Why Unions, City Can't Get Out of His Way and Let Him Create 50 Jobs on the Santa Monica Pier

In this letter to the editor, Sean Ahaus of California Roadhouse, Inc. argues that the redevelopment of a vacant restaurant space on the Santa Monica Pier has been unnecessarily delayed for over a year due to disputed "Labor Peace" and "Right to Recall" provisions in the City's proposed lease. The company says it has already agreed to all financing, construction, and commercial terms and is ready to proceed immediately, creating over 50 jobs and boosting local economic activity.

Dear Editor,

The Santa Monica Pier is one of California's most recognizable public landmarks. It should also be a place where public assets are put to productive use, private investment is encouraged, and residents have confidence that important decisions are made transparently.

For more than a year, California Roadhouse, Inc. has worked to lease and redevelop a long-vacant restaurant space at 256 Santa Monica Pier into a California-themed restaurant and live music venue. According to our plans, the project would create more than 50 jobs, support local musicians and entertainers, and generate new economic activity for the Pier and surrounding businesses.

From our perspective, the project is not delayed because of financing, construction, or commercial lease terms. We have agreed to those terms. The remaining dispute concerns Labor Peace and Right to Recall provisions included in the City's proposed lease that we believe raise important legal and public policy questions.

Like many organizations, UNITE HERE Local 11 participates in the political process by advocating for its policy positions. Our concern is whether the development of these disputed lease provisions and the City's decision-making process were sufficiently transparent. Publicly reported campaign contributions and endorsements naturally raise questions that deserve open discussion whenever significant policy decisions affecting public assets are made.

Regardless of where one stands on the underlying legal issues, the public consequences are visible. A publicly owned property remains vacant. Jobs remain delayed. Visitors lose another destination on the Pier, and nearby businesses lose the additional activity an operating restaurant could generate.

Throughout this process we have repeatedly sought meetings with City officials to discuss our concerns and work toward a resolution. We continue to believe that open dialogue, transparency, and good-faith negotiations offer the best path forward.

California Roadhouse remains ready to sign what we believe would be a lawful lease and begin hiring immediately. My hope is that this matter will be resolved promptly so this public property can begin serving the community instead of remaining vacant.

Santa Monica deserves a thriving Pier, accountable government, and productive public-private partnerships that encourage investment while respecting the law.

Respectfully, Sean Ahaus

Founder, California Roadhouse, Inc.