July 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Anti-Development Rally Planned Tuesday In Front Of Santa Monica City Hall:

A group of Santa Monica residents have organized a rally in front of City Hall Tuesday evening in anticipation of the City Council’s impending vote of a proposed five-building development nearing 800,000 square feet in size at Bergamot Station.

The rally is scheduled for 6 pm on Feb. 4; the citizen-based group Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) coordinated the rally with a mass e-mail to an undisclosed number of recipients.

“This Tuesday, February 4, our City Council will be voting on whether to allow a powerful, politically connected, Texas developer to build its massive, unpopular project in the most congested part of our city,” the email signed-off by four members of the SMCLC stated. “If this developer wins, the floodgates will open for the other 35 Development Agreements in the pipeline. If this development is rejected, developers will be on notice that residents will no longer tolerate the status quo.”

Hines 26th Street LLC has proposed to build what is considered to be the largest-ever development in Santa Monica. The project, if realized, would be at 1681 26th Street, near the intersection of 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard.

The proposed project would be located adjacent to an Expo Line station at Bergamot Station and could transform the area into a combined commercial, residential, and transit neighborhood.

If approved in its current form, the proposed Hines project would bring 473 rental housing units, 25 artist work/live units, and an estimated 400,000 square feet of creative office, restaurant, and retail space to Olympic Boulevard and 26th Street.

The Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) estimated the Hines project would generate more than 7,000 new daily vehicular trips in the Bergamot Station area.

Also proposed is about 90,000 square feet of open space, a three-level subterranean parking structure accommodating between 1,900 and 2,100 parking spaces, the construction of two new north/south streets with signalized intersections at Olympic Boulevard, and an east/west extension of Nebraska Avenue connecting 26th and Stewart Streets.

The proposed project’s five buildings would average 71 feet in height, with the tallest building reaching 81 feet, according to the final EIR.

Also according to the final EIR, the proposed project would require the removal of coral trees in the area. The report describes the trees as a “recognized scenic resource.”

The Santa Monica City Council held a public hearing Jan. 28 on the proposed Hines development agreement (DA). An estimated 120 speakers addressed council members in favor or opposition of the proposed project. However, the council decided to postpone deliberations and the final vote one week.

in News
<>Related Posts

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...