Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The March episode of Palisades Podcast—hosted by Maryam Zar and Steve Cron—will feature an interview with longtime Palisadian developer and Los Angeles Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff.
“Steve has had a career in which he’s excelled in both the private and public sectors,” Cron explained. “On this week’s episode of the Palisades Podcast, Steve talks about his career and also about his visionary ideas on how to improve the quality of life for all Angelenos.”
Soboroff received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate at the University of Arizona before beginning a career in real estate, leasing and renovating shopping centers.
“In 1994, Mayor Richard Riordan appointed him as president of the Recreation and Parks Commission,” Cron said. “In the Palisades, he was the driving force behind the renovation of the playground area of Palisades Park. While working as senior advisor to Mayor Riordan, Steve was instrumental in the development of the Staples Center, which kept the Lakers and the Kings in Los Angeles, rather than moving to a planned new arena in Inglewood.”
Soboroff ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Los Angeles in 2001, but continued his career bridging the public and private sectors. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Playa Vista, where he oversaw the development of 20 parks, as well as elementary schools, offices and residences.
In June of last year, Soboroff’s Whole Foods and the Park complex at Civic Center Way in Malibu celebrated its grand opening after more than 15 years in the works.
The project was a part of a legal battle after Malibu voters approved a formula retail ordinance, Measure R, and later voted down the project’s plans, which were, at the time, called Measure W.
Measure R has since been ruled illegal, allowing the project to break ground without voter appeal.
“After 10 years, we are under construction and, although delayed, the Whole Foods and The Park project will be better than we ever anticipated,” Soboroff told the Palisadian-Post when the project officially broke ground. “[We are] keeping folks off PCH by providing the goods, services and atmosphere unique to and close to Malibu.”
He is also a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, and was responsible for raising the money through mostly private donations to equip all LAPD officers with body cams.
“Soboroff is a true visionary who is unabashed about his point of view and often nudges people to think outside the box for new solutions to old problems,” Zar concluded.
The Post has teamed up with longtime community members Zar and Cron to present the Palisades Podcast. Each month, we will bring you an interview, hosted by Zar and Cron, highlighting extraordinary lives you might not otherwise have a chance to meet.
Previous guests include Anne Kerr-Adams, LAPD Captain Jonathan Tom and Councilmember Mike Bonin.
To listen to this episode of Palisades Podcast and more, visit palipost.com/palipodcast.
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