The city of Manhattan Beach has set the date for the new reveal of an updated plaque commemorating Bruce’s Beach for Feb. 25.
The plaque does not sit on the property that was taken from Charles and Willa Bruce but on other land that was stolen from Black residents under eminent domain closer to Highland Ave.
The Bruce’s property has a lifeguard station on it closer to the beach.
Heirs of the Bruce’s were successful in having the land returned to them after elected officials stepped in for what they called a “historic” moment. Some likened it to reparations.
The Bruce’s property is currently zoned for government use only. The family and County settled on an agreement that allowed the Bruce’s to sell the land but only back to them. The family was compelled to sell because they didn’t want to go through the process of trying to change the zoning to develop the parcels into something more lucrative.
Had the Bruce’s been able to put the land on the open market, a developer would not only have given them more than its value but would have also begun the process of dismantling the city council to make way for favorable votes to change the zoning through the financing of campaigns.
The Bruce’s ultimately decided to sell six months after the land was returned to them for $20 million.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m.
