Design Options Emerge for Santa Monica Airport Conversion into Public Park
Community
feedback, gathered through over 4,984 survey responses, shows a strong preference for a balance of passive and active uses
As the Santa Monica Airport prepares to close on December 31, 2028, the city is unveiling three distinct design scenarios to transform its nearly 200-acre site into a sprawling public park, with community input shaping the future of the space. The conversion project, outlined in a staff report to the Planning Commission for a June 4, 2025, meeting, aligns with Measure LC, adopted in 2014, which mandates the land—originally purchased for a public park—be used primarily for open space or recreation unless approved by voters. Community engagement, which began in 2024, has included thousands of responses from surveys, workshops, and
pop-up events, with the current phase focusing on three draft scenarios: Reuse, Restoration and Resilience; Weaving Park and Community; and Growing Park, Growing Community.
The first scenario, Reuse, Restoration and Resilience, emphasizes green space with new water features, sports fields, and multi-use paths, as noted in the staff report. It proposes five miles of trails, 13 acres of parking, a 15-acre reservoir, 15 acres of urban forest, 8 acres of meadows, a 5-acre community farm, and 22 acres of sports facilities, according to Urbanize LA. Development is limited to adaptive reuse of existing structures, offering minimal on-site revenue through leasing and events, which could delay implementation and financing, per the report.
Weaving Park and Community, the second option, features a meandering multiuse path called “The Bend,” blending open lawns, water features, and recreation areas, as detailed in the staff report. It includes four miles of trails, three new roads, 5 acres of parking, a 7-acre pond, 34 acres of urban forest, 6 acres of indigenous gardens, and a 7-acre performing arts center, with 32 acres of new housing and commercial development along the site’s edges, per Urbanize LA. This scenario promises faster delivery and greater revenue potential.
The third scenario, Growing Park, Growing Community, is the most development-intensive, framing a large public park with a 10-acre lake and 48 acres of commercial and housing development, according to Urbanize LA. It offers six miles of trails, six primary roads, 17 acres of urban forest, 12 acres of botanical collections, 21 acres of sports fields, and a new aquatics center. This option, with the highest revenue potential, is projected for the shortest build time.
Community feedback, gathered through over 4,984 survey responses, shows a strong preference for pedestrian- and cyclist-
friendly designs, integrated water systems, and a balance of passive and active uses, with housing remaining a divisive issue, as noted in the staff report. More than half of respondents support some housing— particularly senior, workforce, and lowincome options—to fund park elements, though any housing plan requires voter approval under Measure LC. The city plans to present a hybrid preferred scenario in Fall 2025, incorporating elements from all three options, following additional input from upcoming meetings and a July 8 council presentation, as outlined in the staff report.
Waymo Faces Escalating Tensions in Santa Monica Over Noise Complaints: REPORT
Some
residents have resorted to blocking Waymo vehicles from entering the lots using cones, cars, and even themselves—a tactic locals call “stacking the Waymos,”
Tensions between Santa Monica residents and autonomous vehicle company Waymo have intensified as locals protest noise pollution from the company’s charging stations, prompting unconventional resistance and drawing city officials into
the conflict.
Waymo, which operates a fleet of 56 driverless vehicles in the city, opened two charging stations at Euclid Street and Broadway in January 2025 after subleasing the lots from Palo Alto-based Voltera, according to the Los Angeles Times. The stations, permitted in June 2024, have since become a source of frustration for nearby residents due to incessant beeping from the vehicles, a sound required by federal and state regulations to alert pedestrians and cyclists when electric cars reverse.
Residents, including 51-year-old Christopher Potter, have voiced their discontent, with Potter launching an online petition on Change.org that has garnered 140 signatures as of May 29. The petition demands Waymo reduce the volume of backup beeps within its lots and limit nighttime operations. “This was not what we signed up for,” Potter told the Times, echoing a sentiment of disrupted tranquility near an elementary school and
apartment complexes.
The conflict has escalated beyond petitions. Some residents have resorted to blocking Waymo vehicles from entering the lots using cones, cars, and even themselves—a tactic locals call “stacking the Waymos,” according to the Times. This has led to Waymo calling the police on residents six times, with one individual facing an unsuccessful attempt by the company to secure a temporary restraining order.
Ivana Justin, a resident, told NBC4 that the beeping disrupts sleep, waking her family at odd hours: “It’s been a nightmare, you know, no sleep, waking us up at 2, 3, 4 o’clock in the morning.”
Santa Monica city officials were initially unaware of Waymo’s operations, only learning of the charging stations after resident complaints began in February, according to emails obtained by the Los Angeles Times. The city’s director of transit services, Anuj Gupta, expressed
concern over the lack of prior notification in a February email to Waymo.
The city confirmed that noise levels at the stations do not violate local standards, leaving officials with limited options due to federal regulations, according to NBC4. Despite this, Santa Monica is exploring outreach to state regulators to address the volume of the mandatory beeps.
Waymo, which began its Los Angeles expansion in late 2023, reiterated its commitment to being a “good neighbor” and said it is working with the city’s Department of Transportation to address concerns.
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Santa Monica ‘Pier 360’ Beach Festival Returns
June 28–29 with Two Days of Surf, Sports, and SoCal Vibes Free All-Ages Event Features Ocean Races, Skate Competitions, Roller Rink, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Activities, And More
The Santa Monica “Pier 360” Beach Festival, the ultimate celebration of SoCal beach culture, returns June 28-29, 2025, for two epic days of competition, entertainment, and good vibes along the iconic Santa Monica shoreline. The free, all-ages event brings together thousands of locals and visitors for ocean sports, beachside games, skateboarding, roller skating, live music, food and drinks, and a deep dive into 90 years of paddleboard racing history.
“Pier 360” action kicks off Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. on the sand and continues from 10 a.m. on the Pier deck, where festivalgoers can explore interactive activities, grab bites and brews, and soak up summer energy at one of Southern California’s most legendary destinations.
“Pier 360” Main Attractions
• Paddleboard Races (June 29) –Celebrate 90 years of paddleboard racing with the One-Mile Short Course ($30), Mike Vaughan Memorial 5-Mile Distance Race ($40), and high-speed Sprint Racing ($40). Open to paddlers of all levels.
• Ocean Swims (June 29) – 500m and 1-Mile open water swim events with wetsuit/non-wetsuit divisions and age group awards. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., with Hawaiian blessing.
• CBVA Beach Volleyball Tournaments (June 28 and 29) – Men’s & Women’s Open competition for a $4,000 prize pool plus the Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame Legends Exhibition.
• Santa Monica Classic (June 28 and 29) – High-octane strongman contest featuring over 80 male and female athletes competing across multiple weight classes.
• AAU Invitational (June 29) – Top 18:U girls teams compete in a Triple Crown showdown.
• Lifeguard Competitions (June 28) – Including the historic Pete Peterson Surfboat 1-Mile Dory Race and Junior Guard events.
• Skate Experience (June 28 and 29) – An energetic celebration of skateboarding and athleticism with demos, clinics, and competitions on custom ramps with L.A.’s top skaters.
• POP SK8 Roller Rink (June 28 and
29) – Community themed pop-up roller rink on the Pier deck open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (skates available on site).
• Beer & Spirits (June 28 and 29) –Chill with cold brews and vodka seltzers thanks to Michelob Ultra in the “Ocean Brews & Bites Garden.”
• All-Day Music & Polynesian Dance (June 28 and 29) – Kick off each day with vibrant Polynesian performances and live music throughout the afternoon.
• Museum of Beach Life (June 28 and 29) – A free, hands-on exhibit curated by local legends explores the history of surf, Muscle Beach, and paddleboard racing.
• Youth Zone (June 28 and 29, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) – Arts, crafts, and giant games for kids. An adult must accompany children under 18.
“Pier 360 is more than a festival; it’s a tribute to the unique culture that was born right here on the Santa Monica Pier,” said Jim Harris, Executive Director and Historian of the Santa Monica Pier. “From racing traditions that started in the 1930s to the cutting-edge sports and experiences of today, it’s a weekend that captures the heart of SoCal beach life.”
“Pier 360” is produced by Santa Monica Pier Corporation, along with these great sponsors Adidas, Best Day Brewing, Big Blue Bus, Celsius, Costco, Frontier, Gatorade Hydration Booster, Heal the Bay, Hot Dog On A Stick, Johnny Rockets, Kendra Scott, Left On Friday, Lifeway Kefir, Lightship, Los Angeles County, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Simply Pop, The Pierside Hotel, The Surfing Fox, Toyota, and Wetzel’s Pretzels, along with many more to be announced soon.
Free to attend with some competitions requiring advance registration and entry fees. Beach activities begin at 8 a.m. Pier deck opens at 10 a.m. For full details, athlete registration, and event schedule, visit: www.santamonicapier.org/pier-360festivities.
Arrive by Rideshare, Metro, Bus or Bike. The Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
About Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing the Santa Monica Pier experience for every visitor. Through impactful, location-specific programming offered year-round, SMPC ensures that the Pier remains a vibrant, world-class destination that is accessible to all. For more information on happenings at the Pier, please visit santamonicapier.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, or Threads.
About Pacific Park on the Santa
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s only admission-free amusement park, offers 12 amusement rides, 14 midway games, Snackville with five fun food offerings and seaside retail shopping. Prices and operating hours are subject to change. For more information and operating hours, please call 310-260-8744, visit pacpark. com, and go to Facebook.com/pacificpark, Instagram.com/pacpark or X.com/pacpark.
Monica Pier
FireAid Fund Distributes $21M to Palisades and Adjacent Areas
The Pacific Palisades Community Council plans to briefly address this update at its next board meeting
The Pacific Palisades Community Council has received a detailed response from FireAid organizers addressing its earlier concerns about the distribution of funds raised by the January 30 benefit concert, which collected an estimated $100 million—potentially as high as $800 million—to aid victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires.
In May, PPCC sent letters to the Annenberg Foundation, which initially managed the funds, seeking transparency after nearly four months of limited clarity on how the money reached fire victims. The letters, signed by PPCC President Sue Kohl, Atlarge Representative Christina Spitz,
and Area 5 Representative Kimberly Bloom—all of whom lost homes in the January wildfires—highlighted the fire’s devastation, including destroyed homes, businesses, and landmarks like the recreation center and library, and noted that many residents were uninsured or underinsured.
FireAid’s response, detailed in an email from LA Clippers Chief Communications Officer Chris Wallace on May 16, revealed that $50 million in Phase 1 funding was distributed within weeks of the concert to organizations providing relief across Los Angeles County, with over $21 million directed to Palisades and adjacent areas.
Recipients included Westside Food Bank, Meals on Wheels West, Chabad Jewish Community Center, Palisades Charter High School, and the Palisades Recreation Center’s Symbol of Hope Project, among others, offering housing, financial aid, and mental health support.
The PPCC, which had previously questioned why only three Palisadesspecific organizations were listed on the FireAid website, welcomed the updated information. Wallace noted that the grantmaking process involved local outreach and an independent advisory
committee, and that $25 million in Phase 2 funding—over $14 million proposed for Palisades, including the library and high school baseball field—is under review.
PPCC
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A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark
Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place where plant lovers gather to share stories, tips and their love for all things green.
This summer, founders Tracey and Mark Marriott, reflect on the impact of the Southern California wildfires in January and have entered a season of gratitude for their customers that have shared stories, tragedies, and have continued to rebuild their lives.
Urban Jungle sprouted from a deepseated love for horticulture shared by the founders. As they approach more than a year in business, Tracey said they are thankful for what Urban Jungle has become — not only a sanctuary of green, but a place that helps people inspire their own environments, both indoor and outdoor, and nurture plant life.
“We’re holding space for people in a way of thankfulness and appreciation. As people are rebuilding their homes, their lives and regaining a sense of normalcy, we’re profoundly grateful to be here and able to inspire them with plants and horticulture — that for every pot or plant, a sense of normalcy will return,” Tracey said.
Urban Jungle’s community-centered oasis brings a lush slice of paradise to urban lifestyle, hosting a unique variety of indoor and outdoor plants, in addition to a collection of globally sourced pottery.
Most of the outdoor plants found at Urban Jungle started from the soil of the couple’s 14-acre farm in Los Angeles. An unrivaled selection from exotic rarities to familiar favorites, Urban Jungle’s collection is diverse and hand-picked for its health and vibrancy.
many options.
From exotic rarities, to low-maintenance succulents, Urban Jungle is a green retreat for all to enjoy. Across the boulevard, Urban Jungle has a sister store called Certified Plant Growers that is celebrating one year of business in June.
Certified Plant Growers carries a selection of larger plants, wholesale items for landscaping, and bigger items for homes and gardens, such as privacy screens.
Certified Plant Growers is only open for wholesale business from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“We’re so thankful for this community that has welcomed us with open arms,” Tracey said. “While you’re on the boulevard shopping or perusing, be sure to check out Certified Plant Growers for all of your lawn and landscape needs.”
Visit Urban Jungle at 3113 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, open Monday through Friday 11 to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 p.m.
To learn more about Urban Jungle and follow its journey, follow @ urbanjungleplantsandpottery on Instagram.
to Urban Jungle
Immerse yourself in a sanctuary where nature’s tranquility meets the vibrancy of city life. Urban Jungle is more than a plant store it’s a communitycentered oasis bringing a lush slice of paradise to your urban lifestyle. Here, we passionately believe in the power of plants to transform spaces and elevate well-being.
Ahead of its second year in business, Tracey said they are looking forward to growth, helping people and businesses flourish, by extension of caring for and nurturing plants in homes and workspaces. Plants are known to have positive effects on wellbeing and stress reduction, while also benefiting the planet. Urban Jungle’s farm-to-nursery selection gives people
A City Dying by a Thousand Cuts
SMa.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Santa Monica, once celebrated for its blend of coastal charm and progressive ideals, is slowly bleeding out — not from one dramatic failure, but from a thousand small, systemic ones. Mismanagement, unchecked spending, and leadership bloat are gradually eroding the city’s ability to function, let alone thrive. While the public is told that resources are limited, executive compensation continues to soar.
We demand accountability for homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure!
This is not just inefficiency. It is a slow, deliberate unraveling— our city is dying by a thousand cuts.
As homelessness continues to rise and essential services are strained to the breaking point, taxpayers are left wondering — who is this city working for?
When Accountability Gets Lost in Bureaucracy and Nonprofits
Statewide, we are swirling in the epicenter of what some now call the HomelessIndustrial Complex, a tangled web of bureaucracies and black-hole nonprofits that absorb public funds without being managed effectively enough to yield real, meaningful, measurable results. Millions upon millions have been spent, yet tens of thousands remain unhoused across the state. And trust in the government? No matter which side of the fence you’re on, that has become the scarcest resource.
Our Taxes Spent, Few Results
Over the past year, increasing evidence has revealed that Los Angeles’s response to homelessness is significantly fractured and poorly managed. A federal judge recently criticized the city’s efforts, likening the chaos in spending and oversight to a “derailed system” that may soon need external control if it cannot stabilize itself.
A court-mandated audit reinforced this grim picture, revealing that tracking how billions of dollars were spent was often impossible due to inconsistent and fragmented accounting practices. Service providers received large sums, but many failed to deliver measurable results — and few faced significant consequences.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the agency responsible for coordinating much of the region’s response to homelessness, has faced intense scrutiny. LAHSA’s CEO, Va Lecia Adams Kellum, approved a $2.1 million contract with a nonprofit where her spouse holds a senior leadership position — a decision county officials condemned as a clear ethical lapse, revealing deeper vulnerabilities in oversight.
Controller audits also found that between 2019 and 2023, roughly one out of every four city-funded shelter beds remained unoccupied, despite the visible homelessness crisis. Worse, fewer than one in five individuals who entered temporary shelters ultimately transitioned into permanent housing, while more than half returned to the streets or simply disappeared from official tracking.
The financial picture is equally bleak. Despite budgeting $1.3 billion to fight homelessness in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, the city spent less than half of it. Millions remained unused while encampments grew.
Santa Monica: A Mirror Image?
While Santa Monica often prides itself on progressive leadership and community values, many of the same warning signs are flashing there, too. Although Santa Monica has not been the subject of sweeping federal audits (yet), local activists and residents have raised serious questions about where homelessness funds are going — and why results are so hard to see.
Similar to LA, Santa Monica partners with nonprofits that have limited public visibility. Performance metrics are unclear, audits are infrequent, and the connections between city officials and service providers
often remain unexplored. In a city that generates substantial tourism revenue and has a relatively small geographic footprint, the visible persistence of homelessness, particularly around downtown and Palisades Park, indicates deeper inefficiencies at play.
A Growing State and Federal Response
The issues in Los Angeles have caught the attention of higher authorities. The federal government recently announced the creation of a Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, specifically designed to investigate misuse of federal funds across Southern California. And Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed consolidating housing and homelessness programs into a new, centralized California state agency to cut down on waste and duplication.
Both moves reflect a growing recognition that throwing more money at the problem without fixing systemic inefficiencies only perpetuates failure.
Greed Knows No Party
The patterns emerging from Los Angeles and Santa Monica reveal an uncomfortable truth: greed and inefficiency don’t belong to any single political ideology. They thrive wherever transparency is weak and public accountability is an afterthought. Whether wrapped in progressive ideals or fiscal conservatism, the result is the same: public money disappears, and public problems persist.
Real Solutions Demand Real Oversight
To get serious about reducing and methodically solving homelessness, mental health and substance abuse, not just funding it, several steps are urgently needed:
• Transparent Accounting: Every contract, every dollar, publicly visible and traceable.
• Independent Auditors: Watchdogs free from political influence, with the authority to halt corrupt practices in real time.
• Nonprofit Accountability: Service
organizations must meet clear benchmarks and disclose potential conflicts of interest.
• Citizen Oversight Panels: Empower everyday residents to review and evaluate spending decisions.
• Criminal Consequences: Misusing and misdirecting public funds (especially for personal benefits) must result in prosecution, not quiet retirement.
Who Pays the Price? Our City Workers and Public Safety
When city budgets are mismanaged, it’s not only about wasted funds — it’s about the real-world effects on essential services and the workers who provide them. The improper handling of funds not only impacts the city’s ability to offer essential services but also erodes the morale of frontline workers who are vital for maintaining public safety and well-being.
In Santa Monica, the disparity between executive compensation and that of frontline workers is stark. For instance, the newly appointed City Manager, Oliver Chi, is set to earn an annual salary of $410,604, alongside benefits such as up to $60,000 in temporary rental assistance and access to a home loan of up to $2 million at a favorable interest rate. How is this even remotely justifiable given the current dystopian economic landscape?
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Palisades Village to Reopen in 2026 with Revamped Retail, Dining, and Community Spaces
Elysewalker Set to Return With Park Reconstruction, Holiday Events, and Streetscape Upgrades
Palisades Village, the open-air shopping and lifestyle destination in Pacific Palisades, is slated to reopen in 2026, with early to mid-year targeted for its return. The relaunch will feature returning tenants, new offerings, and a renewed focus on community-centered spaces.
Among the notable returns is luxury fashion retailer elysewalker, a cornerstone of the Palisades retail scene. The brand will relocate and reopen its flagship store within the revamped Palisades Village, reaffirming its longstanding ties to the neighborhood.
Elyse Walker, Founder and Creative Director of elysewalker said, “I opened the first elysewalker location in the Pacific Palisades because I saw the huge opportunity to bring fashion retail to the area. I knew that I wanted a store to feel like a home base within the community. More than a store, it was where friends & family got together to connect, celebrate, and of course, shop. elysewalker Pacific Palisades epitomized that. Re-opening in the Palisades and moving to the Village is incredibly exciting and important as
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Compare that to Santa Monica’s police officers, firefighters, custodians, and administrative workers — the people responsible for public safety and daily operations, many of whom are working long hours, dealing with emergencies, and absorbing increased responsibilities with shrinking resources- who earn significantly less. Despite their critical roles, these frontline workers often face budget constraints that limit resources and staffing. Furthermore, the city’s average employee salary in 2023 was $144,717, significantly higher than the national average, with top executives earning between $323,125 and $1.4 million. The concentration of high salaries at the top raises questions about the equitable and functional distribution of city funds, especially when essential services face financial constraints.
Our Santa Monica City Council must address these disparities NOW to ensure that city resources are used effectively and equitably.
we focus our efforts on rebuilding and supporting this incredibly strong and resilient community. We fully intend to recreate the elysewalker experience at the Village and cannot wait to be back in our beloved Palisades community.”
In addition to legacy retail, developers promise fresh experiences. A new dining concept is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, adding to the reimagined village experience.
Despite ongoing recovery and reconstruction, Palisades Village will host its traditional Christmas Tree lighting and Menorah celebration this holiday season, providing an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.
Rick Caruso, Founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso, said, “When a retailer chooses to invest here, it is a powerful voice of confidence in a bright future. Both Elyse and I have a shared determination to bring back the Palisades better and stronger, ensuring this community remains a place where families flourish, businesses succeed, and neighborhoods thrive.
As part of broader revitalization plans led by developer Caruso, a full reconstruction of the public park inside the village is underway. Once completed, it will once again serve as a welcoming gathering space for families and visitors. Caruso also plans to upgrade surrounding streetscapes, including sidewalk repairs and new landscaping, to improve safety and enhance the area’s aesthetic appeal.
Corinne Verdery, CEO of Caruso, said,
At the end of the day, what we need is not another hollow task force or glossy new agency. True democracy is not just about casting votes or holding a particular political ideology; it’s about demanding better for the common good from those we elect. And right now, we are way overdue for selfless, serious, fearless, and committed reform on multiple levels.
Michael Jolly, for S.M.a.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Samuel Tolkin, Architect & Planning Commissioner; Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Architect (exPlanning Commissioner); Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Michael Jolly, AIRCRE; Jack Hillbrand, AIA, Architect, Landmarks Commissioner; Matt Hoefler NCARB, Architect; Phil Brock, SM Mayor (ret)
For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing
Next Santa Monica Induction Class: May 16, 2025
From classroom to airline cockpit in 2 to 3 years. At Sling
