March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Ocean Avenue Median Construction Begins Jan. 21 For Up To Four Weeks:

As if driving around Santa Monica was not already tough enough as it is, City Hall announced this week a portion of Ocean Avenue will be under construction for up to four weeks starting Jan. 21, complete with lane closures.

However, City Hall hopes the completion of a raised and landscaped median along Ocean Avenue at the end of construction will help make the area safer for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. The City also hopes the new median will improve the street’s “walkability.”

The median, once complete, will extend along Ocean Avenue between Olympic Drive and Vicente Terrace.

According to City staff, the median is a “required safety enhancement of the Civic Center Village Residential Project Development, and is a key part of the implementation of the 2005 Civic Center Specific Plan.”

City staff added the new median “will mean permanent access changes along Ocean Avenue.”

Plans for the median call for it to be 10 feet wide and be built along Ocean Avenue south of Olympic Drive. The median is to be designed, according to City staff, “to reduce the scale of the street, and to allow for distinctive planting that reinforces the identity of the Civic Center.”

The plan to build the median was originally included in the 1993 version of the Civic Center Specific Plan and remained incorporated in the updated document 12 years later. In that time span, City staff stated, “All phases of the plan have included numerous workshops and periods of public input.”

The median took one step closer to reality when the Civic Center Village Residential Project development agreement was approved in May 2008.

“The agreement included a requirement that the developer would construct the raised median,” City staff stated. “The city regularly installs raised medians in order to improve pedestrian safety, particularly along major streets and boulevards.”

When the median is completed – potentially in late February – drivers will no longer be able to make or complete left turns into or out of a driveway from both sides of Ocean Avenue.

“Access to the streets and driveways from northbound Ocean Avenue will be maintained via the new signal at Ocean Avenue and Olympic Drive. This new signal will provide a protected U-turn in the northbound direction, so that northbound traffic may turn southbound on Ocean Avenue to access streets and driveways on the west side of Ocean Avenue,” City staff explained.

City staff continued: “Southbound traffic will be able to make a left turn or U-turn at the southern end of the median at Vicente Terrace in order to travel northbound on Ocean Avenue and access streets and driveways on the east side of Ocean Avenue.”

Pedestrians will be able to cross Ocean Avenue at one of two crosswalks: one in front of the Le Merigot Hotel at 1740 Ocean Avenue; and a second crosswalk at Ocean Avenue and Olympic Drive.

A public meeting is set for Jan. 13 at the East Wing of the Civic Center to discuss the median project and its implications. The Civic Center is located at 1855 Main Street. The meeting will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; City staff will make a brief presentation about the project and answer questions.

More information about the project can be found at www.smgov.net/pcd.

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....