Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site
The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council
The Santa Monica City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday in support of a plan to transform the 192-acre Santa Monica Airport site into a public park after its scheduled closure on Dec. 31, 2028, prioritizing open space and recreational facilities over housing development.
The council directed staff to study Scenario 1, a proposal emphasizing ecological restoration, adaptive reuse of existing structures, and compliance with Measure LC, a 2014 voter-approved charter amendment requiring public approval for non-park uses on the former airport land. The plan includes public open spaces, recreational facilities, and the maintenance of existing cultural arts and education uses, ensuring no ballot measure is triggered before the airport’s closure.
The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council, reflecting deep community engagement. Supporters of a park-
only plan, including the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition and Airport2Park Foundation, rallied outside City Hall before the meeting, advocating for a “Great Park” with features like sports fields, botanical gardens, and community spaces.
Public comments highlighted the need for local recreational facilities. Kate Maringer, a 15-year-old soccer player, spoke of the strain on Santa Monica youth due to limited field access, saying, “We need a safe, LC-compliant park so local kids can create a strong future.” Maddy Denvo, a Santa Monica All Stars softball team member, urged the council to build a park for future generations, citing the sport’s role in fostering community bonds.
A competing motion by Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya to explore Scenario 3, which included housing and commercial development, failed 3-4. Zernitskaya, Jesse Zwick, and Barry Snell supported studying housing to address Santa Monica’s affordability crisis, but the majority favored a park-focused approach.
Councilmember Jesse Zwick, the lone dissenter on the final vote, emphasized the logistical inefficiency of focusing solely on adaptive reuse of existing structures without exploring housing potential, noting, “We’re not planning to tear down buildings; we’re talking about adaptive reuses of existing structures, so let’s study what a mix of uses, including housing, would look like on sites that have structures.”
Zwick also framed housing as a moral imperative, stating, “I’ve heard park advocates support housing, but not where they support it. … Public land is the only chance we have, and I cannot consciously
give up all these acres without devoting at least one acre to this desperate need.”
Mayor Lana Negrete expressed concerns about rushing the process without thorough planning.
“What’s pivotal tonight is not how we talk about the future of the airport but how we treat our responsibility for the generations that come after us,” she said. Reflecting on her evolving perspective, Negrete admitted, “When I first ran for council, I knew far less than I do now about the airport. … The definition of intelligence is changing your mind.” She warned against creating “another vacant promise” like the long-closed Civic Center, stating, “My fear is that if we rush this without a clear, financially sound, and
publicly accountable plan, we will lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Negrete stressed the need for comprehensive studies, saying, “We should have started with a full economic and environmental report. … I wish we would’ve looked at how we phase it in responsibly over time rather than fence off a major dead zone where it becomes a public safety hazard, specifically a homeless encampment.”
Councilmember Dan Hall argued that Santa Monica’s growing density demands green space. “Our great-grandchildren deserve open space too,” Hall said. Community members, including Kelly, a local mother, echoed this, citing the need for a “sanctuary” in an urban environment.
Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety
The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of passengers
The Santa Monica Department of Transportation introduced
Prohibition Order Program on July 1 to bolster safety and enforce its Customer Code of Conduct across the Big Blue Bus system.
Enabled by Senate Bill 1417, authored by Senator Ben Allen, the program empowers the agency to deny service to individuals repeatedly cited for policy violations or those arrested or convicted of misdemeanors or felonies on buses or at transit facilities.
The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of passengers and employees. The legislation mandates the creation of an advisory committee to
ensure compassionate enforcement and requires training for personnel issuing the orders.
Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta stated, “The Prohibition Order Program helps us ensure a safe and welcoming environment for Big Blue Bus riders and operators by giving us another tool to enforce our Customer Code of Conduct.” He added that it supports broader efforts to enhance the transit experience, allowing customers to “Ride with Confidence” in a safe, reliable, and inclusive service.
The initiative is a component of a comprehensive customer experience
enhancement plan. This includes Brighter Blue, a five-year strategy to increase service frequency, extend operating hours, and improve connections to Metro Rail and other key destinations.
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Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids
The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in court
Santa Monica has joined a coalition of Los Angeles-area cities and the County of Los Angeles in filing a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging what they call unconstitutional immigration enforcement actions by the federal government, city officials announced Wednesday.
The motion, filed by Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto alongside Mayor Karen Bass, seeks to support a lawsuit, Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem, initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Counsel, and other civil rights groups. The lawsuit aims to stop U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from
conducting stops, raids, and roundups without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, alleging these actions target individuals based on perceived ethnicity, use excessive force, and deny detainees access to attorneys.
Santa Monica, along with Pasadena, Culver City, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Monterey Park, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles County, argues that since June 6, 2025, federal agents—often armed, masked, and lacking visible identification— have conducted unprecedented searches and seizures across the region, targeting communities based on race and ethnicity and violating due process rights.
“The actions we’re seeing across our region by the federal government are illegal, inhumane, and unacceptable, and they are having devastating impacts throughout our community,” said Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete in a statement. “Our local economy, our small business owners, and our most vulnerable residents are suffering, and we will not stand for it. That is why Santa Monica is joining other cities to put a stop to the illegal racial profiling tactics that are sowing fear, panic, and division.”
The coalition claims these federal actions, which include deploying thousands of unidentified agents and military troops, have occurred without notice or
coordination with local law enforcement, causing fear and mistrust in Santa Monica and neighboring communities. The motion argues that such tactics are unlike any lawful immigration enforcement seen in the region in over 70 years.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the federal government’s actions as treating the region “as a test case for how far it can go in driving its political agenda forward while pushing the Constitution aside.” She emphasized that the lawsuit
aims to set a precedent for upholding constitutional values.
The motion to intervene, supported by co-counsel Munger Tolles & Olsen, seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in court. Local leaders, including Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien and West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, echoed Santa Monica’s stance, condemning the raids as disruptive and discriminatory.
New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services
According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260
individuals annually
Santa Monica’s newly launched SaMo Bridge diversion program referred 56 individuals to services in its first month, with 37 of them immediately connected to housing and supportive care, according to figures released by the city.
The program, which opened in May, is a collaboration between the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office, Police Department, and nonprofit Exodus Recovery. It aims to divert individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health issues away from the criminal justice system and toward long-term support.
Operating out of a 24/7 respite hub at Main Street and Pico Boulevard, SaMo Bridge allows law enforcement to refer individuals to the center instead of jail following minor offenses. At the hub, participants receive clean clothing, snacks, and a safe place to rest while case management begins.
According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually. Those who complete a 90-day care plan may be eligible for case dismissals or pre-filing diversions.
SaMo Bridge is part of a broader strategy to address homelessness in Santa Monica, joining other diversion efforts like the STEP Court and Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Pre-Filing Diversion Program.
The next public update on the program is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 at 3 p.m. during the Human Services Commission meeting at 330 Olympic Drive. Further updates and program details are available at santamonica.gov.
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Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade
The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency.
The Santa Monica Department of Transportation will increase fares on its Big Blue Bus system starting Aug. 10, marking the first fare hike in nearly a decade, the agency announced.
The fare adjustments include increases for single rides, 1-day, 7-day, 10-ride, and 30-day passes. The agency will also eliminate its annual and youth 30-day passes.
Single-ride fares will rise from $1.10 to $1.25 for regular TAP or mobile payments
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and from $1.25 to $1.50 for cash. Senior, disabled, or Medicare (S/D/M) single-ride fares will increase from 50 cents to 60 cents for TAP/mobile and to 75 cents for cash.
A regular 1-day pass will go from $4 to $4.50, while S/D/M 1-day passes will rise from $1.50 to $1.75. The regular 7-day pass will increase from $14 to $16, and the 10-ride pass will go from $9 to $10 for regular riders and from $4.50 to $5 for S/D/M riders. The regular 30-day pass will rise from $50 to $55, and the S/D/M 30day pass will increase from $24 to $27. The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies,
according to the agency.
It will also support investments in fleet electrification and the Brighter Blue program, which focuses on improving service frequency, expanding operating hours, and enhancing connections to destinations like the LAX/Metro Transit Center, SoFi Stadium, and Metro’s C, D, and K Lines.
Big Blue Bus will continue offering one free transfer within two hours between its buses, discounted fares for contactless payments, and participation in regional fare discount programs such as LIFE and GoPass.
Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects
The Authority said the drop coincided with more uniformed personnel and partnerships to address homelessness and mental health issues
Violent crime on Los Angeles Metro dropped nearly 29% in May 2025 compared to the same month a year earlier, transit officials said Tuesday during the agency’s annual “State of the Agency” event, citing efforts to increase visible security and address social service needs across the system.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and partnerships with city and county agencies to address homelessness, mental health issues, and drug use.
Metro officials also reported a 66% decline in operator assaults in the first quarter of 2025, following the completion of a fleetwide retrofit of bus operator barriers in December 2024. The agency became the first in the country to complete such an installation across its entire active fleet.
The updates come as Metro rolls into its 2026 fiscal year under new board leadership. Fernando Dutra, a Whittier city council member, assumed the role of board chair from L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins joined both officials in outlining key goals and performance metrics.
Among the new fiscal year’s priorities are extensions of major rail lines, including the A Line to Pomona and the first completed phase of the D Line subway extension. Other projects underway include improvements to the G Line, the Southeast Gateway Line, and express lane expansions on the I-105 freeway.
Customer satisfaction has also improved, according to a February 2025 rider survey. Eighty-seven percent of respondents reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Metro service, and 53% said they had noticed improvements over the past year—primarily in service quality and safety.
In the past year, Metro opened several new transportation hubs, including the LAX/Metro Transit Center, which links two rail lines and 14 bus routes to Los Angeles
International Airport. It also launched the 5.5-mile Rail-to-Rail pedestrian and bike corridor in South L.A., and released a draft environmental report for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, a proposed high-capacity transit line connecting the Valley and the Westside.
Federal funding is also playing a role in Metro’s expansion. The agency secured an $893 million grant for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project and continues to push forward on environmental
reviews and planning for future corridors.
“As we prepare for global events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, we’re using these moments to secure longterm improvements to LA’s infrastructure,” Wiggins said in a statement.
In addition to construction, Metro plans to roll out new open-gangway subway trains, upgrade mobile payment systems, and launch a consolidated app for riders over the next fiscal year.
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Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video
The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @ LADOTofficial
Students from Saint Monica Preparatory have clinched the Best PSA for Street Racing Kills category in the 2024/2025 Streets, Art, and SAFE Competition, delivering a powerful message about the dangers of street racing.
The winning public service announcement (PSA), titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @ LADOTofficial and is available for viewing
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on YouTube.
The PSA, produced under the guidance of the non-profit Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), aims to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by empowering high school students to advocate for street safety through artistic expression. In Los Angeles, where traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for youth aged 4-14, according to the non-profit, the program fosters creative storytelling to educate and engage young people while honing their film and visual arts skills.
SAFE emphasizes strict safety protocols, with Rule 5 of the competition mandating compliance with local laws and prohibiting any endangerment during production. The organization ensures no students, parents, teachers, or participants are harmed, disqualifying any PSA that violates this standard.
The video can be viewed at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=09qnWk29hqE
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Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?
SMa.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
At the June 18th meeting of the City of Santa Monica’s Planning Commission, over which I presided, we approved— albeit with mixed emotions—our recommendation to the City Council to terminate the RAND Corporation’s original Development Agreement. Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact of current government funding cuts on their study workload, as well as the effects of a work-from-home culture on the efficient use of their current home across from City Hall and the Court building.
They are hoping the City will allow mixed uses within the building, which I believe is a prelude to potentially selling the property. I fully support their request to modify permitted uses. What would be truly unfortunate is if RAND were to leave Santa Monica entirely. The corporation’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of our City. In 1946, it was spun off from Douglas Aircraft’s Research and Development Division. The “R & D” label later evolved into the acronym RAND.
My point is simple: the City Council should grant their land-use revision, but also do everything possible to help them find suitable space within Santa Monica’s borders. Any financial gain from changes to the original Development Agreement would likely be minor compared to the economic and cultural value RAND brings to our community.
I’m not an economist, but I know their presence has been—and can continue to be—a powerful stimulant to Santa Monica’s economy, as well as a point of civic pride.
Our business development leaders should not sit back and watch them leave. Instead, they should take an active role in helping RAND stay. Like the airport, Rand represents an essential part of our
City’s DNA. But unlike the airport, Rand is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. There is no downside to keeping their headquarters here.
I believe there are existing buildings along Olympic and Colorado Boulevards that could easily meet the needs of this eminent research institution. As an architect, I also believe that viable adaptive reuse alternatives exist. I was involved in the design of an iconic building in Pittsburgh for the American Institute of Research, which faced a similar challenge. They too vacated a purpose-built facility but maintained a presence in Pittsburgh by rethinking their space needs.
One option for RAND would be to sell its building and lease back the portion needed to meet its specific spatial and security requirements. Based on what was expressed to me on the 18th, I have no doubt that thoughtful design can meet their operational and security needs.
While RAND can certainly choose to relocate, with our full cooperation, we may still convince them to remain here. I also urge members of our thriving commercial real estate community to step in and help
ensure this world-renowned institution keeps its headquarters in our city.
Sam Tolkin, Architect (former Planning Commissioner) For SMa.r.t
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Architect & former Planning Commissioner; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan
Jansenson, Architect & former Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Samuel Tolkin Architect & former Planning Commissioner; Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE; Jack Hillbrand AIA, and Landmarks Commission Architect; Phil Brock, former SM Mayor (Ret); Matt Hoefler, NCARB, Architect
For previous articles see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing
Annydi Productions presents
Rand Corporation as seen from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department Veteran
Housing
Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Sarah Mahin as the first director of the newly formed Department of Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH), which consolidates the County’s fragmented homelessness response under a single agency.
In her new role, Mahin will oversee the transition of services from various county departments into the unified department, tasked with enhancing coordination, accountability, and service delivery for people experiencing homelessness.
The DHSH is expected to become fully operational by January 1, 2026.
Mahin currently leads the Housing for Health division within the Department of Health Services, a nationally recognized program that has served as a model for the new department. During her six-year tenure, she has managed an $875 million budget and a staff of more than 600, partnering with hundreds of nonprofit and community organizations.
With two decades of experience in homelessness services, Mahin has held prior roles at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), where she directed policy and coordinated service delivery across a broad network of agencies and providers. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Georgetown University.
The Board of Supervisors voted in April to establish the new department following a motion introduced by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The department’s official name, Department of Homeless Services and Housing, was adopted in July.
County officials said the new structure
aims to reduce administrative burdens on providers, streamline services for clients, and deliver more effective solutions to address the region’s homelessness crisis.
Community meetings about the DHSH’s development are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For updates, residents can visit ceo.lacounty.gov/dh
To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Rebecca Sue Hamilton
A Petition for Probate has been filed by Margaret Harrison in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 25STPB05804
The Petition for Probate requests that Margaret Harrison be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.
The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.
The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.
A hearing on the petition will be held in Los Angeles County Superior Court as follows: Date: August 2025, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: ST99 The address of the court: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.
If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.
Other California statues and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.
You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.
Petitioner Margaret Harrison, 1785 Douglas Rd. Unit 78, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Published in the Santa Monica Mirror, 07/05/25, 07/12/25, 7/19/25
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Rebecca Sue Hamilton
