Bella Macleod
Staff Writer
and Bari Cohn
Executive News Editor
The Manhattan Beach City Council unanimously approved to move forward with the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation at its May 16 meeting in order to reconstruct the Roundhouse Aquarium as a part of the Harrison Greenberg Foundation Roundhouse Aquarium Beautification Project.
Manhattan Beach resident Michael Greenberg donated $1.25 million to the restoration and redesign of the Roundhouse Aquarium, located on the Manhattan Beach pier as a part of the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation, which the Greenberg family created in honor of their late son Harrison.
“This project is near and dear to my heart and the Greenberg family,” Project contributor and resident Robin Curren said. “It is very exciting, and we can’t wait to see the smiling faces of the children as they wander through the beautiful new jewel of our city.”
The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $2.5 million, and renovations are scheduled to begin in January 2018 and will last until May 2018. The Manhattan Beach Coastal Commission, a local agency that regulates environmentally friendly developments along the California coast, will be holding a meeting today where it will vote to either approve or reject the project.
“We are very appreciative of the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation’s donation as well as the city of Manhattan Beach’s support toward the Harrison Greenberg Foundation Roundhouse Aquarium Beautification Project,” Roundhouse Aquarium volunteer and education coordinator Brittney Olaes said. “Like many of the residents in Manhattan Beach, we are excited to be a part of such a momentous improvement.”
The renovations mainly consist of aesthetic and functional improvements, such as upgrades to the existing wildlife tanks, the addition of new marine life exhibits and improvements to the tide pools. Additionally, there will be a new shark tank and jellyfish exhibit that will be visible from the ground floor.
“We will be able to enhance our curriculum with improved tanks, specimens, and displays, making them more interactive,” Olaes said. “With better technology, we can effectively use media to teach students as well as think of other ways to incorporate tools, such as various microscopes.”
The new features will support the spread of marine life safety awareness and allow for the creation of more interactive activities regarding marine life, Olaes said.
“I chose to donate to the Roundhouse Aquarium Beautification Project because my son Harrison loved the Roundhouse Aquarium, and we enjoyed many afternoons visiting it,” Greenberg said. “In addition, there was a need to make improvments to keep it in good standing.”
The Roundhouse Aquarium has not been updated for approximately 15 years and relies on donations and corporate gifts to maintain its facilities. For those who are willing or able to donate, the Harrison Greenberg Memorial Foundation is accepting donations on its website in hopes of raising an additional $1.5 million.
“We greatly appreciate this incredible donation which will benefit future generations and allow children of all ages to better understand our oceans and sealife,” City Council member-elect Steve Napolitano said.”
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