June 16, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Light Rail Maintenance Facility Continues To Draw Fire:

Santa Monica has been looking forward to having a light rail in the City by 2015 but controversy about the placement of the project’s maintenance facility has been raging for months.

The controversy began after the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) stated that the only suitable location for the project’s maintenance facility was the Verizon property (located on Exposition Boulevard near Stewart Street) which is located across the street from a residential neighborhood. Neighbors were concerned because the facility would need to be operated 24 hours, seven days a week, by three shifts of employees, would generate noise, increased traffic, and health hazards from the materials being utilized there.

In July the City and the Expo Construction Authority proposed a split alternative to help allay the fears of the neighbors which would use the Verizon site, an adjacent Santa Monica College (SMC) parking lot and the City’s 1800 Stewart Street property across the street. That proposal was also rejected by the neighbors, caused opposition from The Lionstone Group (which has a lease agreement with the City for 1800 Stewart Street), generated additional costs, and created more environmental impacts.

At the August 11 City Council meeting the City and Expo proposed a new alternative which utilizes a portion of the Verizon site, the SMC parking lot, a portion of the City Yard for a shared parking facility, and a 120-foot buffer for most of the frontage facing residents on Exposition Boulevard. However, most of the neighbors continued to object and many stressed that the Expo Authority just had their first meeting with them on August 10. Linda Pierre Avila comments summed up the neighbors objections when she stated, “The Pico Neighborhood should not serve as the City’s sacrifice zone for everyone else’s greater good.” The neighborhood is already housing the 10 Freeway, the trash transfer yards, and the recycling center. “ Now, the Pico Neighborhood is being told they most shoulder yet another burden, the light rail maintenance yard, with its attendant environmental impacts of noise, vibration, possible carcinogenic paint fumes, and diesel exhaust fumes from industrial operations performed on the rail cars.”

Also objecting was Peter Gutierrez, an attorney for Maguire Properties, the owner of the Lantana Entertainment media Complex which is directly behind the Verizon property. Guiterrez explained that Lantana was “concerned that the sensitive uses at the Lantana complex have not been identified by Expo or the City as uses that would be affected by the noise and vibration from a maintenance yard at the Verizon site.”

Pico resident Darrell Clarke who is also a former Planning Commissioner spoke in favor of the new alternative by noting it would not have the same negative effects as a freeway or a dump transfer site nor was it as bad as the current Verizon site except it would create nighttime noise that could be mitigated.

Bergamot Station’s representative, Howard Robinson, also spoke in favor by stating this new alternative honors the new Land Use and Circulation Elements proposed concepts.

School Board member and Pico resident Oscar de la Torre told the Council “the community expects that you will protect the health and welfare of the residents even though the Expo Authority has the ultimate authority.”

During the Council discussion Mayor Ken Genser stated that the site between 9th and 11th Street which runs along Colorado should also be explored as a potential site because it isn’t near a residential neighborhood. He noted it might be more expensive to buy the businesses out that are located there but in the long term it might be worth it for Expo. He also stressed that the mitigation measures necessary for the new alternative would also be costly because of its proximity to a residential neighborhood.

The CEO of the Expo Construction Authority, Rick Thorpe, told the Council his agency “could move along with both sites (the new alternative and the site at 9th and 11th Streets) simultaneously.”

In the end the Council unanimously voted to recommend that the Expo authority consider both sites and continue meeting with the community.

In other business, the Council voted to allow the Jonathan Club to continue to lease three beach parcels for their private use. They also conducted a study session on the revision to the scope of work and schedule for the California Incline Project, the status of the Palisades Bluffs Project, and the proposed relinquishment of Lincoln Boulevard from the Santa Monica Freeway to the City’s southern limits.

Lastly, the Council adjourned in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shiver, the mother of Council member Bobby Shriver and founder of the Special Olympics.

in News
<>Related Posts

Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at DHS Press Briefing in Los Angeles

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Security or Censorship? Padilla Removed After Questioning Secretary Kristi Noem U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed Thursday during...

Film Review: Ballerina

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

FILM REVIEWBALLERIINARated R125 MinutesReleased June 6th I’m happy to see the contrast in the style of movies playing this summer....

(Video) Senator Alex Padilla Being Forcibly Removed at Secretary Kristi Noem’s DHS Press Conference for Attempting to Ask Questions

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

In a disturbing and unprecedented move, FBI agents grabbed the sitting California Senator, dragged him out of the room, and...

THIS WEEKEND: Skate Series Hits Venice with $25K Top Prize

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The Venice Beach event will showcase street-level action, judged on amplitude, trick difficulty, execution, style, and overall impression Skateboarders are...

Virtual Event to Explore Palisades’ Horticultural Heritage

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event will highlight how these trees continue to inspire community resilience and regrowth The Santa Monica Mosaic series will...

SMPD Announces Safety Measures Ahead of Upcoming ‘No Kings’ Rally on Westside

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Enhanced patrols, rapid-response teams, and advanced technology for situational awareness are part of a detailed operational plan The Santa Monica...

THIS WEEKEND: Santa Monica Hosts 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event, which draws over 2,000 attendees annually from Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and beyond, was first funded by...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Third Annual Rosé on Rose Wine Fest Comes to Venice Beach This Weekend

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Rosé offerings priced between $8 and $10 per glass at various Rose Avenue establishments The third annual Rosé on Rose...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Serve Up Pride Month Specials That Give Back

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Limited-Time Food, Cocktail Offerings at Socalo and Alice B. Support LGBTQ+ Centers In honor of Pride Month, acclaimed chefs Susan...

New Gourmet Store O&V CA Opens on Montana Avenue

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The store, which celebrated its grand opening recently, specializes in a carefully curated selection of fresh, extra-virgin olive oils  A...

Santa Monica Secures Nearly $1M to Expand Neighborhood Greenway Projects

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The 36-month project, set to begin this summer, includes community engagement through pop-ups, walk audits, and a citywide survey Santa...

Congregation and Family Fight to Stop Sale of Historic Venice Church

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Descendants and supporters rally against alleged unlawful sale, seeking historic status and legal action Members of Friendship Baptist Church and...

Rodeo Realty’s Palisades Office Becomes First Rebuild Post-Fire

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The structure, now fully framed, is set to reopen this year Rodeo Realty announced that the reconstruction of its Pacific...