NICOLE KLIEST
Staff Writer
Malibu: warm weather, blue skies, sandy beaches, what more could students ask for? Oh, that’s right, a movie theater.
In April of 2005 an electrical short caused a fire in Malibu’s Creek Plaza. In result, Casa Escobar, Beauty Supply, Fast Frames, Malibu Eye Center Optometry, Ben and Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream and the Malibu Theater suffered extensive damage.
Craig George, Environmental and Building Safety Division manager and deputy building
Official, has been involved with the rebuilding of the plaza.
“None of the buildings burned down.” George said. “However, Casa Escobar and Fast Frames suffered such extensive damage that they had to be demolished and reconstructed.”
Although this event was extremely unfortunate, the plans were immediately facilitated for the rebuild without delay, according to George.
Even though it may seem that reconstruction has been taking longer than expected, workers are rebuilding Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“The time delay came from waiting for the submittal to be made to the City,” George said
“In meetings after the fire, the city pledged to facilitate all approvals, reviews and permitting required to get all of the businesses back up and running,” George said. “I feel we have fulfilled our commitment.”
Many students would agree the return of these buildings, especially the Malibu Movie Theater, is going to make a big difference regarding entertainment in this small city.
Malibu is abundant with beauty however the city can be seen as lacking in regards to entertainment and budget friendly facilities.
Freshman Jenna Schiedermayer defines a college town as “a place where the majority of the population is college students, and the college is the future of the town.“
Pepperdine was relocated from South Central Los Angeles in 1972 to a less-controversial and more peaceful Malibu, however, with that change came the disadvantages of life in a small town.
Cities like Santa Barbara and Westwood help students with recreation as well as finances. College is a time where the majority of students are on the constant verge of debt. Having fun places to eat and hangout while still staying within a budget is necessary for college students.
“Unfortunately, many of Malibu’s restaurants and boutiques are aimed exclusively toward the rich and famous,” Schiedermayer said. “It makes it expensive to do things on weekends in Malibu.”
The incoming Casa Escobar and Ben and Jerry’s will be a nice opportunity for students to eat out more.
“Malibu isn’t really the greatest college town,” Schiedermayer said. “because there isn’t a lot for students to do in Malibu. We have to go somewhere like Santa Monica to do anything interesting.”
“I think the movie theater will be great,” Schiedermayer said. “because we won’t have to drive that far to see a movie.”
“The new movie theater will be much like the old one,” George said. ”It will have two theaters.”
“They are considering remodeling the lobby,” George added. “However, expenses of new handicapped facilities to accompany the remodeling would be expensive.”
With the new movie theater coming back, students will have more options and more opportunities to do something in Malibu on the weekends, instead of having to drive to Los Angeles
The other businesses coming back to Malibu will be helpful not only to Pepperdine students, but to Malibu locals as well.
“Since a lot of restaurants in Malibu are costly,” Schiedermayer said, “it will be nice to have a couple new places to eat that won’t empty our wallets.”
Anticipated openings are for April. Although the stores most likely won’t open until the end of the month, summer school students will be pleased to know their nights can now be filled with ice cream and movies.
Submitted 02-09-2006