News - Santa Monica Hastens Implementation of Safety and Business Revamp Plans

Santa Monica's City Council is leading the charge in implementing transformative changes to Santa Monica Boulevard and revitalizing the local business landscape. The council is considering a $590,000 safety study aimed at enhancing a 2.4-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard, from Ocean Avenue to Centinela Avenue. This study, based on a decade of crash data, seeks to propose phased engineering and transit improvements to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit riders. Following extensive community outreach, the city's Vision Zero and Local Roadway Safety Plan provide a foundation for these safety enhancements. Partially funded by a state sustainable-communities planning grant and complemented by local funding, the initiative highlights Santa Monica's dedication to sustainable urban development. If approved, the staff plans to secure additional funding for the implementation of Phase 1 and pursue large-scale grants for construction, as emphasized by Transportation and Mobility Director Anuj Gupta. Alongside the boulevard's safety considerations, city officials, led by Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Zwick and Councilmember Lana Negrete, are exploring ways to revitalize chronically empty downtown storefronts by converting them into restaurants. The effort includes potential fee waivers and providing assistance with tenant improvements, with the goal of facilitating quicker business openings. This is part of a broader strategy to streamline commercial activities in Santa Monica, helping businesses thrive amid challenging economic conditions. The proposed interventions on Santa Monica Boulevard range from strategic turn restrictions and consistent pavement markings at 15 key intersections to new crosswalks and potential bus-only lanes. Pedestrian scrambles, flashing beacons, and refuge islands are also under consideration to enhance safety and reduce injury severity. This week's council decisions will determine whether the blueprint advances from study to execution or is deferred for further analysis. With new restaurant conversion schemes under exploration, officials aim to establish the city as a hub for new dining experiences. Following the council's vote, anticipated updates on funding and pilot timelines will set the stage for potentially sweeping changes in both infrastructure and commercial activity in Santa Monica.