Terry Pristin examines two pivotal projects currently under construction in Santa Monica that are poised to reconnect the city's historic civic center to the vibrant, walkable beachfront community.
Comprised of such historic gems as the white “Deco Moderne” City Hall (1939) and the Welton Beckett-designed Civic Auditorium (1958), which was once home to the Academy Awards, Santa Monica's civic center has for years been divided from the city's popular promenade and downtown by the Santa Monica Freeway and "a dreary expanse of parking lots."
"Finally, after many years of workshops and hearings, significant steps are being taken to better integrate this section with downtown," writes Prinstin. "Two major construction projects are well under way, including the first new residential development on Ocean Avenue in many years."
Utilizing land bought by the city from the RAND Corporation in 2000, "the Related Companies and its partners are building a $350 million residential complex that will include 158 condominiums, 160 income-restricted rental apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space." Adjacent to the Village at Santa Monica, "the city has molded six flat acres of parking lots into a $47 million publicly financed park with hills and fountains as well as two steel-ribbed shell-shaped observation decks for gazing at the ocean and the Santa Monica Pier." The park was designed by "it" firm of the moment, James Corner Field Operations
With the completion of a new light-rail line from downtown Los Angeles expected in 2015, local residents won't be the only ones rediscovering the city's civic center.
FULL STORY: Long Isolated Behind a Freeway, Santa Monica’s Civic Center Rejoins Its City
New Santa Monica Park a Victory for 'Farsighted Urban Planning'
While Tongva Park's design may not be as bold as what James Corner has demonstrated on other projects or initially envisioned here, we should celebrate its planning, execution, and political sophistication, says Christopher Hawthorne.
Expo Line Between L.A. and Santa Monica Hits 2030 Ridership Projections
Finally, good news regarding public transit ridership in Los Angeles, where the Expo Line connection to Santa Monica has very quickly outpaced its projections.
Santa Monica Proposing Balanced Approach With Downtown Plan
After residents soundly defeated the anti-growth Measure LV in November, city officials are still trying to propose a plan that addresses the traffic and livability concerns that led to the initiative being placed on the ballot.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie