On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an unprecedented plan to return Bruce’s Beach to the evicted black family after they were evicted from Manhattan Beach nearly a century ago.
Supervisor Janice Hahn reflected on all the legal, legislative, and very complicated real estate details that had to be worked out to the right a wrong that had sparked a movement and captivated the country during a heartfelt moment during the board meeting Tuesday.
The way ahead:
Before officially transferring to the Bruce family, the property will now enter escrow. Following the transfer, the county has agreed to rent the property from the Bruces for $413,000 per year and will keep its lifeguard station there.
The lease agreement also includes the county’s right to buy the land at a later date for $20 million plus any associated transaction costs.
It has paved the way for other cities to follow:
The restoration of Bruce’s Beach has paved the way for other cities and states seeking to make amends for past wrongs. Many people point to the country’s history of violently dispossessing Indigenous peoples and evicting entire communities of colour from prime real estate.
