The Santa Monica City Council is holding its second special meeting of 2011 at City Hall on Feb. 1 to review and comment on the coordination “of projects approved and proposed in the Civic Center and Downtown areas” over the next five years.
In addition to the study session report, Council is expected to also discuss two existing litigation matters involving the Federal Aviation Administration and the Taxi Driver’s Association in closed session.
With respect to the coordination of approved and proposed projects, the discussion at the special meeting will likely include developments in the following areas: The Gateway Projects, the Civic Center Area, and the Downtown Area.
“This study session will focus on the ‘big picture,’ the next five years of integrated implementation for proposed public and private projects in the Civic Center and the
Downtown,” the staff report from Eileen Fogarty, director of the Planning and Community Development Department, stated. “In the next several years, the community will have many exciting opportunities in the form of proposed capital projects.
“Those proposals constitute a unique opportunity for the City to realize the community vision for investment in the vibrancy and success of the City’s civic future.”
Among the key goals the city staff hopes to address with Council include: connecting downtown to the civic center area, the creation of a “vibrant downtown Light Rail Transit (LRT) gateway,” enhanced and expanded open space areas and parks, parking issues, and the resolution of “circulation issues for pedestrians, bicycles, transit and other vehicles.”
The staff report, which is the “first of periodic reports” indicated several developments were identified in 2009 by the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) as “priority proposed projects,” including: projects related to the Exposition Line, sich as Green streets and pathways for roadway, pedestrian, bike and transit improvements; a Downtown Parking Strategic Plan; Expo Station area enhancements; and, allocations for Civic Center parks, Civic auditorium renovations, an Early Childhood Education Center at Santa Monica College, joint uses with Santa Monica High School, and shared civic center parking.
The Special City Council Meeting will take place at City Hall chambers at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 1.
