There has been lots of good news about the former Marion Davies Estate in recent weeks. In late January, the Santa Monica City Council green-lighted the construction contract for the public beach club and historic renovation, christening the facility the Annenberg Community Beach Club at 415 PCH.

Only last summer we had real concerns that this project would be blocked. Now that those obstacles have been removed and that grant money has been allocated, it's cause for celebration. We've only gotten here thanks to the vision of the Annenberg Foundation and the professionalism of the city staff and the enthusiasm of so many residents who came out and supported this project.

Amenities of the club will include a restored, historic swimming pool, changing and locker rooms, volleyball and paddle tennis courts, a snack bar, a 72-person public use event room and a restored North House, which will be renamed the Marion Davies Guest House.

Demolition and abatement is scheduled to start in February with construction set to commence in June. The current schedule has the public splashing in the pool and sipping non-alcoholic beverages on the lounge deck in early 2009.

Regarding the placement of a traffic light at the club’s entrance on Pacific Coast Highway, the City and Caltrans continue to have "productive and positive" conversations towards the ultimate approval of a traffic signal. We're all optimistic that a solution will be reached well before the 2009 opening.