Melissa Giaimo
Assistant Perspectives Editor
Considering that Malibu traffic does not show signs of lightening up, at least drivers can drive a more beautiful and safe Pacific Coast Highway thanks to the work of the Malibu Green Machine.
The non-profit volunteer organization hopes to bring back the neighborhood charm of Malibu by beautifying the medians of PCH along with other public spaces, roads, parking lots, beaches and community centers.
PCH boasts some of the most stunning scenery in America, rivaling other famous seaside highways in Monaco and along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. And yet the road appears unkempt, dangerous and weedy.
It is no wonder the Green Machine is one of few Malibu endeavors to receive virtually unanimous support.
The Green Machine aims to replace Malibu’s mostly concrete medians with new medians that combine concrete and landscaping. The concrete uses wavy blue tones, to evoke the ocean, and plants specially selected by one of the world’s most renowned horticulturists, Paul Comstock.
Between Comstock and Burton Sperber, a Malibu resident and architect of the project, the two saw what a revitalized highway could do beyond simple aesthetics.
A landscaped highway is safer. Median landscaping increases the visual separation of the roadway, decreasing the risk of drivers entering oncoming traffic. Transportation research shows landscaped medians can slow cars and even deflect vehicles that mount the median curb. Planting on medians can reduce glare of oncoming headlights for drivers.
Also, by softening the streetscape, those at Malibu Green Machine hope to make PCH appear more like the residential road it really is and get drivers to slow down.
A landscaped highway is more environmentally-friendly. Given PCH’s proximity to the ocean, Malibu citizens have a particular obligation to limit vehicle pollution. Members of the Green Machine plan to devote a larger part of Malibu’s medians, which are mostly paved, to plants. Every time a car breaks, it releases zinc and lead. Paved medians cannot absorb discharge from vehicles, sending pollutants to the city’s storm water treatment plant, as well as streams, rivers and oceans. But with landscaping on medians, certain plants can break these polluting compounds into micro-nutrients. Landscaping also absorbs more rainwater, reducing harmful run-off.
A landscaped highway is more beautiful. Landscaping can only enhance Malibu offering a more stunning entrance into the fine city. To further this entrance experience, the Green Machine’s plans also include a highway monument sign, which might read, “Welcome to Malibu, Malibu a Way of Life.” Whether passing through on foot, a bike or in a car, all will enjoy a more beautiful Malibu. People spend a fortune to live here, and they deserve their money’s worth.
The Malibu Green Machine is civil activism at its finest. Founded in July 2005, the group has already received the approval of Malibu City Council, contracted with a landscaping company, set up a trust for donations and designed plans. A team of landscape architects, horticulturists and highway engineers meets regularly with the group. Donations will fund almost the entire project, which will cost approximately $1.5 million.
Green Machine has already received approximately $750,000 in donations, and founder Jo Geise says he is confident they will raise the rest. Geise hopes to complete the project by summer 2008, beginning construction in December or January.
This efficiency contrasts the inevitable slowness of bureaucracy in Malibu City Council and Caltrans. Geise said if it were a city project, it could take up to seven years.
The Green Machine also hopes to beautify Zuma Beach to make it more inviting for residents and visitors. Plans include installing game tables, benches and also painting life guard chairs in bright colors. In the future, the group hopes to renovate the Bluffs at the community center.
For years, city government officials have worked, with little success, at improving traffic and safety in Malibu. But The Green Machine proves that sometimes all it takes is a few people willing to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty.
03-29-2007