Westside Newsletter_March 2017

area newsletter MARCH 2018 • WESTSIDE

20 18 TM

Community News Santa Monica freeway cap gains new momentum

A long gestating plan to build an elevated park over the 10 freeway has recently been resuscitated by the Santa Monica City Planning Division, which included the project among its list of priorities. The project is part of their Gateway Master Plan, which is intended to connect the downtown area with the civic center area and improve the areas adjacent to the freeway.

The crown jewel of the project would be the freeway cap park, a platform built across the 10 freeway, upon which a public green space would be cultivated.

Similar projects have been completed in Dallas and St. Louis, and have been planned for the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles and the 134 freeway in Glendale. The Santa Monica freeway cap was first proposed by former Mayor Michael Feinstein in 1996.

Affordable housing to replace animal shelter

A mixed-use project located across the street from the Hollywood Palladium is moving forward, with updated plans currently under consideration by city officials. The development, located at 6200 W. Sunset Blvd., would include 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 270 apartments on upper levels. The building will offer amenities such as a pool, a gym, and a roof deck, with units coming in studio, one- and two-bedroom layouts. The project’s design calls for wide sidewalks and a recessed walkway with retail frontage. If approved, construction is expected to take 26 months, with an eye towards a 2021 completion.

New apartments in Del Rey

A new apartment complex is being constructed at 4505-4513 S Slauson Ave., in Del Rey, where 2 single family residences once stood. The project stands five stories tall and will include 23 apartments, with 2 units set aside for very low income households. The project also calls for a street level parking garage and a recreation room.

The area has been popular with developers in recent years, with 21-unit building having been built at 11400 Culver Blvd. and a 47-unit mixed-use project planned for the corner of Culver Blvd. and Dawes Ave.

Community News Big Blue ridership drops

Officials with Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus system have announced that ridership dropped 17% in 2017, from 16.6 million to 13.3 million. This represents the seventh straight year of decline, despite hopes that the popularity of the Expo line would lead to an increase in residents using public transportation.

The BBB saw an increase in ridership on lines that ran perpendicular to the Expo, providing viewers with “last mile” connections, but saw a 32% loss on lines that ran parallel to the light rail. Irrespective of the increase in Expo ridership, the LA Metro system has seen a 4% drop in ridership system-wide. A recent report from UCLA attributed the decline to an increase of car ownership, particularly among poor and foreign-born residents, who are more likely to be transit riders.

Bill would make surfing California’s official sport

A bill in California’s state legislature would recognize surfing as the state’s official sport.

The authors of the bill indicate that surfing best represents the California dream and is also “an important part of the multibillion dollar California coastal economy.” California has numerous state symbols ranging from official state insect to official state grain, but so far does not an official state sport. Twelve other states have recognized an official state sport, with Hawaii also naming surfing as the state’s official individual sport.

Promenade topiaries to be renovated The iconic dinosaur sculptures of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade will soon get a $400,000 makeover. The six topiaries, which have stood since the Promenade opened in 1989, are due for upkeep as nearly three decades of weather have taken their toll. Plans call for the resurfacing of the fountains surrounding the sculptures, changing the exterior color from the current red-brown to a neutral gray that will better blend into the surrounding promenade. The interior surface of the fountains will be finished in a light-blue color that make the water look more appealing. Mosaic glass tiling and new underwater lighting will also be installed.

Adjacent planters will also be replaced. Restoration of the sculptures is expected to take four months to complete.

Restaurant

Spotlight

Estate Restaurant + Bar

Bay Cities Italian Deli

Swingers

1519 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica

1517 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica

802 Broadway, Santa Monica

This stylish eatery is known for its upscale Asian-fusion fare, unique craft cocktails and its swanky dining room. Estate brings globally inspired farm-to-table cuisine to Santa Monica. Its downstairs bar and lounge has Santa Monica’s best non-basic happy hour, which is seven days a week from 5 - 7 p.m. The bar offers twists on the classic American cocktails as well as specialty drinks, which are well-priced. The menu here includes an eclectic selection of crisp, panko-breaded shrimp, filet mignon skewers, and grilled salmon salad.

Estate Restaurant + Bar is open seven nights a week starting at 5 p.m.

Bay Cities specializes in homemade, authentic Italian specialties, like freshly made pasta, bread, and rolls. This Italian deli makes more than 20 different kinds of sandwiches and is known for its ‘Godmother,’ an Italian sub with a stack of Genoa salami, mortadella, capicola, ham, and prosciutto. When you dine here you can expect the highest quality food made with the freshest ingredients, along with friendly, personal customer service. In addition to being a deli, Bay Cities is also a gourmet market. You can find domestic and imported groceries, including wine, cheese, and housewares.

Bay Cities is open Tuesday – Sunday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

This hip, throwback coffee shop offers classic diner fare with vegetarian options. The ‘60s-style diner serves also serves alcohol, but it is best known for staying open late -- until 3 a.m. Thursday Saturday. Here you can enjoy tuna melts, French fries, milkshakes, as well as Tofu chilaquiles, housemade veggie burgers, and a soy shake with peanut butter. If you live on the Westside, chances are you’ve ended up in a booth at this classic diner after a night out! Swingers is open Sunday - Wednesday from 7 a.m. - 2 a.m., and Thursday Saturday from 7 a.m. - 3 a.m.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES

LACMA

900 Exposition Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90007

5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036

MOCA Grand Avenue 152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012

CURRENT EXHIBITION:

CURRENT EXHIBITION:

CURRENT EXHIBITION:

Tattoo November 19, 2017 – April 15, 2018

Painted in Mexico, 1700–1790: Pinxit Mexici November 19, 2017–March 18, 2018

Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1949: A Conservation Treatment March 4 - September 7, 2018

This exhibition focuses on Mexican paintings of the 18th century, a time that featured major stylistic advances as Mexican artists often sought to distinguish themselves from the European counterparts. LACMA has gathered over 100 works to display, including paintings that were previously unpublished, or were restored for the exhibition.

In collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute, MOCA is undertaking an extensive restoration of a Jackson Pollock painting in a gallery that will be open to the public. Three other Pollocks from the MOCA collection will also be displayed.

Natural History Museum

Demonstrating 5,000 years of history, the Natural History Museum’s exhibition displays the cross-cultural impact of body art through the years and around the world. Featuring historic samples of tattoo art and the equipment used to create it, the museum also brings the experience into the present with a series of tattoo artists offering their services on-site during the exhibition.

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