S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
INSIDE
FREE RANDY’S DONUTS FOR SANTA MONICA GRAND OPENING
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August 20 – August 26, 2021 Volume XCXII, Issue 107
Main Street Traffic Closures Return This Weekend Sharing an Open Main Street back for second time this summer August 21 - 22 By Sam Catanzaro
The summer’s second iteration of pedestrian-only use for a segment of Santa Monica’s Main Street will take place this weekend, a program that during the first weekend most attendees said was positive but less than half of merchants said it led to better business. The pilot program, initiated by the Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA) and Ocean Park Association (OPA), was approved by Santa Monica City Council in June and debuted July 24-25. Known as “Sharing an Open Main Street”, the program applies to the two blocks between Hill and Kinney streets. Like the first weekend, vehicle traffic will be detoured from Main Street to Neilson Way. In addition, bus stops within the plaza footprint will be temporarily closed. According to
the City, temporary bus stops will be placed outside of the pedestrian zone to serve riders. Bicyclists and scooter users will need to dismount within the plaza footprint as well. According to the City of Santa Monica, based on an on-site survey conducted by OPA and also survey responses received after the weekend, a majority of residents indicated the first weekend in July was a positive program. “An on-site survey taken during the first Sharing an Open Main Street in July found that 95% of 241 respondents were positive about the pilot. About two-thirds noted the ‘positive impact’ on the community and Main Street businesses. The respondents said they ‘enjoyed the community/family nature of the event,’ and ‘felt safe,’” wrote Debbie Lee, Santa Monica’s Chief Communications Officer, in an email statement. “Including additional survey responses after the weekend (total of 491), 76% of respondents were positive overall versus 19% negative, with about half requesting more activities and entertainment for the upcoming weekends.” In addition, 80 percent of attendees said they walked or cycled to the event, per the survey. According to Lee, the City has received seven emails from residents that shared their view that the closure didn’t add value to the
The first weekend of Sharing an Open Main Street in Santa Monica.
community and caused more traffic. “Staff will continue to closely monitor the three remaining pilot events in collaboration with MSBIA and OPA as well as take steps to mitigate any issues that may arise,” Lee said. The OPA survey also showed 69 percent of respondents spent more time on Main
Photo: Juliet Lemar
Street due to the event and 76 percent wanted to attend future events. According to the City, based on the results of this survey this weekend there will be more activities and entertainment throughout the open street in
Main Street Traffic, see page 9
Fatal Collision on Santa Monica Freeway Under Investigation
One person dead following nine-car collision Saturday evening By Sam Catanzaro
A nine-car collision left one person dead over the weekend in Santa Monica. According to the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD), on Saturday around 5:45 p.m. firefighters responded to a report
of a multiple vehicle traffic collision on the eastbound Interstate 10 Freeway near the Lincoln Boulevard overpass. Upon arrival, the SMFD reported it found nine vehicles involved with one overturned. “After rapidly assessing the scene and triaging all parties involved, it was determined there were four (4) patients; tragically one (1) was pronounced dead at the scene, one (1) was critically injured and transported to a local trauma center,” said SMFD Public Information Officer Captain Patrick Nulty in a press release. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner has not yet
released the identity of the victim. In addition, the SMFD reported one patient with minor injuries was transported to a local hospital, and a fourth patient who suffered minor injuries was treated and released at the scene. According to the SMFD, a total of 27 firefighters and paramedics along with officers from the Santa Monica Police Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), and
McCormick Ambulance worked to stabilize the incident scene, provide care to the injured and transportation to the hospital. The cause of the incident is under investigation by the CHP. A CHP spokesperson told the Santa Monica Mirror Monday afternoon that there are currently no further details about the cause of the collision, including whether or not alcohol or narcotics may have been involved
A vehicle involved in a fatal collision on the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica Saturday evening.
Photo: Citizen App.