SANTA MONICA—As the city of Santa Monica nears the final phases of the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project, three draft scenarios are now available for review from the community.
The project team is soliciting feedback through a program called “CoMap” that allows respondents to pinpoint specific elements they like or dislike from the three scenarios by dropping a pin and giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down with room for a comment as well.
The scenarios are available for review and contributions at www.smacproject.com through June 22 in both English and Spanish. The three scenarios are available for download from the Learn & Engage tab and are available for comments on the project CoMap via the links on this page.
Scenarios are meant as conversation starters and are not fully developed design proposals. The comments from CoMap and Community Event 3 will be brought before the Santa Monica City Council for consideration and direction on how to proceed towards a new, hybrid, Preferred Scenario in Phase 3B.
The CoMap will remain open for contributions through Sunday, June 22.
The Airport, which lies on 192 acres, represents nearly 3.5 percent of Santa Monica’s land area. It was purchased in 1926 using a Parks bond and was later developed into the SMO Municipal Airport.
The project will establish a preferred scenario for the conversion of the Santa Monica Airport, centered on a great park, as consistent with Measure LC, after its closure (anticipated at the end of 2028).
The Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project is a planning effort for Santa Monica to create a preferred scenario centered on a great park, consistent with Measure LC. The future scenario will enhance connections to the rest of the city, create a quality public realm and increase the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors of Santa Monica.
The public process for this project is consistent with past City Council direction to establish a plan for future use of the land, and to address the community’s interest in the creation of parks, recreation, cultural, and educational amenities and to address community goals and priorities as they relate to current and future generations. To understand the legal frameworks and history, visit Santa Monica’s Project Website.
There are five distinct planning phases within a 21-month process (with Phase 3 containing two sub-phases—3A and 3B). Products resulting from each phase, including key takeaways from analysis and assessments, project material, and takeaways from community input will be added to this site as the project advances.
Each phase of work includes distinct tasks in the process of generating a preferred scenario for the future of the Santa Monica Airport site. Throughout each phase of work, the project team will engage with the community through a variety of in-person and online events and activities.
Ahead of moving on to each next phase of work, the planning team will meet with the Santa Monica City Council to report progress, findings, and community input collected and receive direction.
By Danny Jones