Malibu City Council Advances Project to Develop Master Plan for Future Uses of City-Owned Vacant Property
The Malibu City Council is pleased to announce the hiring of Tripepi Smith & Associates, a renowned public relations firm, to facilitate outreach and engagement efforts regarding City-owned vacant lots.
During its Regular Meeting on February 12, the Malibu City Council awarded the contract to Tripepi to provide comprehensive community outreach and engagement services that will be used to identify top facility priorities and develop a master plan for the future uses of the City’s vacant properties. Tripepi Smith & Associates brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the project, ensuring voices are heard and valued throughout the decision-making process.
“Plans for the future uses of the City-owned vacant properties must include robust community engagement,” said Mayor Steve Uhring. “We are committed to fostering transparent and inclusive dialogue with our residents. We want the community to really get involved. We aim to ensure that our residents have ample opportunities to contribute their insights and ideas so that the City Council can make informed decisions that reflect the values and aspirations of Malibu.”
Over the years, the City Council has sought out and secured open space properties in Malibu to ensure that they would be used for the benefit of the community, and to preserve Malibu’s rural coastal village character. In 2016, the City purchased the 35 acre-Trancas Field property overlooking Zuma Beach. In 2018, the City purchased 29.24 acres of commercially zoned open space. Until now, there has not been an organized effort to plan for the future uses of the properties.
On September 27, 2023, the City Council approved the City’s first Strategic Plan list to help focus and prioritize staff efforts on the most important projects that City staff need to work on. As part of that plan, the Council identified the need for a comprehensive outreach and education program to engage the Malibu community and stakeholders for the future uses of the vacant lots owned by the City.
The City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and a panel of staff members carefully considered proposals from nine qualified firms before selecting Tripepi Smith & Associates, LLC to recommend for the contract.
The selection of Tripepi Smith is grounded in their comprehensive approach, experience, strategic understanding, effective communication, and commitment to innovation. Tripepi Smith’s recognition of the project’s potential to leave a legacy demonstrates their understanding of the City’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Malibu residents.
Video of the City Council discussion is available to watch online.
Upcoming future meetings and activities related to the vacant lands project and the community engagement process will be announced. In the meantime, community members are encouraged to share their ideas and questions about the future uses of City-owned vacant land, and to sign up to receive updates on the project by emailing Deputy City Manager Alexis Brown at ABrown@MalibuCity.org.
For more information, see the staff report.