Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran
Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development
The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at least 1,880 affordable units on public land
The City of Santa Monica is offering three surplus properties to developers for potential affordable housing projects, officials announced in a notice. The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at least 1,880 affordable
units on public land, as outlined in the 2021-2029 Housing Element Update.
The largest site, the 5.6-acre Bergamot Station Arts Center at 2525 Michigan Avenue, currently hosts 30 small businesses, including art galleries and a restaurant, with leases extending to 2027. Developers are tasked with providing at least 707 affordable residences for renters earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI), with options for market-rate or moderate-income housing if explained. Proposals should also include 15% artist affordable housing and prioritize cultural uses, with a 55-year ground lease plus two 22-year extensions possible.
The 2.57-acre site at 1333 4th Street and 1324 5th Street, featuring Bank of America and Chase Bank, targets 362 affordable units, with flexibility for commercial uses like a hotel or community amenities such as an ice skating rink. Joint proposals with the nearby Parking Structure 1 site may be considered. According to Urbanize LA,
this location was previously slated for an OMA-designed mixed-use complex.
The 0.75-acre Parking Structure 1 at 1234 4th Street, a seismically vulnerable garage, invites varied proposals, including affordable housing or retrofitting, with no strict affordable housing mandate.
All developers must handle permits, demolition, and environmental clearances. Interested parties have until August 29, 2025, to submit letters of interest, with priority given to projects offering at least 25% affordable units, per city guidelines.
Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention
A federal judge sided with Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and other local governments Friday, ordering a stop to immigration enforcement tactics that targeted individuals based on race, language, or where they worked, Santa Monica city officials announced. The ruling blocks federal agents from conducting stops and arrests in the region without reasonable suspicion of an immigration violation.
U.S. District Judge Maame EwusiMensah Frimpong’s decision comes after a coalition of cities, including Santa Monica, sought to join a lawsuit challenging raids
that swept up more than 1,500 people in recent months. The judge found that federal officers had unlawfully detained individuals at bus stops, car washes, and other public places while relying on racial profiling rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention. “Our residents should not have to live in fear of being detained or arrested solely because of how they look.” Negrete said in a statement.
“We’re hopeful today’s ruling will put an end to these unconstitutional raids and provide some reassurance and comfort to the community.”
The lawsuit, filed by civil rights groups on behalf of detained workers and advocacy organizations, described aggressive tactics by masked agents who allegedly handcuffed people without explanation.
Some U.S. citizens, including a tow yard employee in East Los Angeles, reported being questioned and restrained despite showing identification.
Detainees were held at a federal facility in downtown Los Angeles, where attorneys said they were repeatedly denied access to clients. In one instance, guards used chemical spray to disperse advocates
attempting to communicate with detainees through van windows, according to a release from the city of Santa Monica.
The judge’s order requires federal authorities to allow legal visits and confidential calls for those detained, mirroring standards at other immigration facilities. It also bars agents from using race, Spanish-speaking, or common work sites like day labor pickup spots as sole justification for stops.
The Department of Homeland Security argued the operations were lawful but failed
to provide records showing individualized suspicion for arrests. The judge rejected claims that the court lacked authority to intervene, noting constitutional protections apply regardless of immigration status.
A hearing to determine whether the restrictions should extend through the case is expected later this month. Santa Monica and other local governments, which joined the legal effort this week, say they will continue pushing for permanent safeguards against profiling.
SMO (So Many Options) Part 4 “IT’S THE ECONOMY, S…..”
SMa.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
While Santa Monica residents and visitors already enjoy miles of a “Great Beach Park” that offer families space to breathe and children to play, and attracts people and families from throughout the region, and is already paid for, airport closure advocates, nonetheless, have a romantic vision of transforming the airport into a “Central Park”, “offering families space to breathe, children room to play, in an increasingly dense urban environment.”
As the City is broke and on the edge of bankruptcy, proponents seem to suggest starting simply—create walking paths, install basic amenities, plant shade trees, and wait for a generous philanthropist to fund the full transformation.
That ‘unknown philanthropist’ would have to pay for a site that is larger than all of downtown, from the Freeway to Wilshire and Ocean Ave to Lincoln - which is about 228 acres.
In addition, the so-called ‘great park’ vision of closing the airport collides with the harsh realities that the site would require extensive environmental remediation, potentially costing tens of millions of dollars before a single tree can be planted. And more critically, California’s housing laws have fundamentally altered what cities can and cannot do with valuable land, especially coastal property near job centers and transit.
The Measure LC and the Misunderstanding
Many residents believe that Measure LC mandated closure and park use for the site. It did neither. The measure simply vests the City Council with the authority to continue airport operations, or to cease airport operations, and if closed, determine how the land will be utilized after Jan 1, 2029. LC is not limited to only a park, but also to educational uses, e.g. SMC (Santa Monica College)expansion and student housing, as well as replacement of existing facilities with no stated limits on what replacement actually means, which suggests the existing commercial uses could be significantly enlarged by being replaced.
Closure advocates cannot assume that their support for a park will automatically translate into park development. The Council must weigh legal constraints, financial realities, developer pressures, and state mandates—a balancing act that will doubtless produce outcomes different from what closure advocates expect, as we have already seen 2 of the 3 concepts authorized by the council include mass housing. The council was delinquent in not mandating a fourth concept - that of keeping the airport functional and providing the public with the economic benefits and open space it
already provides.
HR&A, the city’s economic analyst consultant, in their 2011 report indicated that SMO contributed $275mil/yr to the Santa Monica economy - that is $391mill/ yr adjusted for inflation. Instead of benefiting the city’s economy, the council began to put a knee on the neck of airport operations and has been slowly strangling it for the past 10years, contributing, it would seem, to the financial crisis the city finds itself in.
The State’s Housing Mechanism
Under California’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process, Santa Monica must accommodate thousands of new housing units over the next decade. The state has made clear that cities failing to meet these obligations will face the Builder’s Remedy—a legal mechanism that allows developers to bypass virtually all local zoning and approval processes, a complete loss of local control, negating any notion that LC is a safeguard. The airport land sits squarely in the crosshairs of this policy framework.
If Santa Monica closes the airport but fails to meet housing targets elsewhere, developers could invoke the Builder’s Remedy to build on the airport land anyway—but without any community input on design, density, or public benefits. An irresponsible gamble for a city facing fiscal crisis.
The Path Forward: Getting Real
Instead of the city having constrained the economic contribution of the airport, the airport can once again function as an economic solution to the fiscal losses incurred by the city over the last 15 or so years, while maintaining the open space that the airport has always provided by its mere function. And with the increase in electric aircraft coming available, the airport will likely generate much less noise than even our boulevards. The key is proactive planning rather than reactive resistance.
How Residents May Influence Outcomes
Given that the City Council holds ultimate decision-making authority over the airport’s future, public engagement becomes even more critical. Residents who care about the airport’s future and believe that it will be closed and a park built in its place should focus their advocacy on the economic and environmental realities rather than impossible dreams, Recognize the need for parks that serve your neighborhood - accessible within a 10 to 15 ‘minute walk from your homes, not tucked in the farthest corner of the city with limited access which is likely to end up, in reality, as a significant housing/ commercial development with minimal open space.
existing residents alongside new ones. Support innovative tax policies that can fund neighborhood parks throughout the city while addressing speculation and inequality, that capture some of the value created by Santa Monica’s desirability as a place to live.
Our Window Is Closing
The next few years represent Santa Monica’s last opportunity to influence what happens at the airport site. Waiting for perfect solutions, or for a ‘benefactor’, or hoping that legal challenges will preserve unlimited local control wastes precious time that could be spent crafting thoughtful neighborhood park alternatives.
Most importantly, it depends on recognizing that Measure LC merely enabled four members of the city council, i.e. a council majority, to decide whether to maintain airport operations, or to cease airport operations, it did not predetermine the land’s future use as a park. The clock is ticking, and the stakes have never been higher. The choice is stark: maintain the airport as a functional open space with proven economic benefits, or trigger a state-mandated housing development process that could transform the site into dense residential towers with minimal parkland. The decision rests with just four council members, and the window for public influence is rapidly closing
Bob Taylor, AIA
For SMa.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Dan Jansenson, Architect, (ex-Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner); Robert H. Taylor, Architect AIA; Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi, Architect AIA (ex-Planning Commissioner); Sam Tolkin, Architect, (ex-Planning Commissioner); Michael Jolly ARECRE; Jack Hillbrand AIA, Landmarks Commissioner Architect; Mat Hoefler, Architect NCARB
Residents should advocate for maximum neighborhood park space within a financially viable framework. Demand excellent design standards, and insist on community benefits that serve
Better is robot-assisted spinal surgery that gets you back in the saddle.
To us, helping you get better is everything. So while 2 in 3 spinal patients at Saint John’s can be treated without surgery, every patient gets comprehensive care that’s tailored to their specific needs. In equestrian Stacy Lilien’s case, that happened to be minimally invasive spinal surgery using the ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation Platform, which allowed her to get back to horseback riding in only 7 weeks. It’s just one of the many ways we treat you for the better.
Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly
Exporting
Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018
A 66-year-old Santa Monica resident was arrested Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of illegally
Electronics to Iran
exporting sophisticated electronics to Iran, federal authorities announced.
Bahram Mohammad Ostovari, also a resident of Tehran, faces a four-count indictment for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR).
Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm supplying railway and telecommunications systems to Iran’s government, allegedly orchestrated the scheme from May 2018 to July 2025. The indictment claims he used front companies in the United Arab Emirates, MH-SYS FZCO and Match Systech FZE,
to acquire and ship controlled items like computer processors and railway signaling equipment to his Iranian company without U.S. authorization.
He became a permanent resident in 2020 but continued the operation, concealing the true destination from U.S. suppliers.
The charges include one count of conspiracy and three counts of IEEPA violations, tied to exports supporting Iran’s infrastructure, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways. Ostovari allegedly acknowledged U.S. sanctions in emails, directing co-conspirators to falsify end-user details to evade export controls.
The IEEPA and ITSR prohibit such
Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to
Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted cleaning
Andrew Thomas, the chief executive of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), will leave his post after three years,
Step Down
the organization confirmed Friday. His departure, effective later this year, follows a tenure marked by efforts to revitalize the downtown area.
Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted cleaning and maintenance efforts. He also pushed for marketing and economic development initiatives that drew new businesses and residents, leading to zoning changes and the launch of California’s first regular Entertainment Zone on the Third Street Promenade.
“Rebuilding the foundation and reigniting the spirit of downtown took collaboration from many partners,” Thomas said, crediting the city, local nonprofits,
and business groups. He plans to stay on briefly to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.
transactions due to
and terrorism threats, requiring Office of Foreign Assets Control approval, which Ostovari never sought. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison per count.
Authorities believe others may be involved and are investigating.
Michele Aronson, chair of the DTSM, Inc. Board of Directors, praised Thomas for his leadership during tough times, noting his impact will shape the area’s future. Thomas expressed gratitude to his staff, calling them the “heartbeat” of the organization, and said serving the community has been a career highlight.
Iran’s nuclear
Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims
Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-yearold woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent to commit rape
A 29-year-old Long Beach man faces charges including an attempted rape in Santa Monica, alongside other violent crimes in Long Beach, after his arrest this week, authorities said Sunday. Alvin Marbra, 29, is accused in a series of attacks from April to July 2025, with the Santa Monica incident occurring on April 4.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Marbra allegedly
assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent to commit rape, enhanced by allegations of inflicting great bodily injury. The case also includes charges for a June 30 hate crime attack on a 26-year-old man in Long Beach and a July 1 rape of a 61-year-old woman there, with kidnapping and injury allegations.
Marbra, who has a 2021 aggravated assault conviction in Florida, appeared in court July 3. Bail was set at $1.275 million, and he remains in custody, with an arraignment scheduled for July 17 at the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach. If convicted, he could face 25 years plus 55 years to life in prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and a firearms ban.
The Long Beach Police Department, investigating with Deputy District Attorney Elyse Rendon, believes other incidents may be unreported. Potential victims are urged to contact the Sex Crimes Detail at (562) 570-7368.
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