May 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Electric Car Showroom Proposed for Third Street Promenade:

Visit the Third Street Promenade, buy an electric car. If an idea proposed by the Santa Monica City Council gains momentum, it may not be too long before an electric vehicle manufacturer has a showroom to sell its environmentally friendly automobiles on the promenade.

Indeed, a request by Council members Terry O’Day and Robert Holbrook to consider amending the Santa Monica Municipal Code to allow automobile showrooms and sales on the promenade was unanimously supported by the council at its Aug. 9 meeting.

“The amendment we are asking for would be fairly narrow in its construction. It would only apply to alternative fuel vehicles,” O’Day explained about the resolution request he brought to the council’s attention. “It would be limited to small spaces on the promenade and it would not include such activities that have real impacts with neighbors, such as repair facilities, handling of inventory on-site, and the like.”

If ultimately endorsed, automobile manufacturers would only be allowed to have showrooms on the promenade. Within the showrooms, manufacturers would only be allowed to conduct automobile sales. No service bays or other dealership-related activities, such as inventory storage, would be allowed on site.

However, even in such a limited scope, the item’s two co-sponsors believed that bringing automobile showrooms, especially those that would display electric vehicles, would revitalize a relatively quiet stretch of the promenade.

The possible showroom would be located on the northernmost portion of the promenade, between Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue.

“It’s a space that’s underutilized right now,” O’Day said.

“The north block could use a little more foot traffic,” Holbrook added.

Council member Kevin McKeown chimed in that not only could the northern block of the Promenade use some more traffic, but also electric vehicles have a very promising future and would, quite possibly, be the very type of commercial activity to attract more people to venture to the uppermost region of the public thoroughfare.

“This is a part of the promenade that does need a jumpstart. These are cars that, I think, are to be very popular and very successful,” he said. “I think this is going to be a tremendous market for electric cars.”

Local activist Jerry Rubin supported the council’s action, lauding them for conjuring up such a novel idea that may produce tangible results in the long run.

“I think it’s an ingenious thing to do. I think people will be excited about this. It’s going to educate them environmentally,” Rubin said. “You’re opening up new territory here. It‘s so creative.”

Of course, it will take some time for this educational and creative idea to become reality, since the council’s action on Aug. 9 was merely to direct staff to prepare a “Resolution of Intent” to amend the Municipal Code to allow automobile showrooms on the Promenade.

Once drafted, the resolution would be vetted out and ultimately considered by the City’s planning commission. Should the planning commission endorse the resolution and the amendment to Municipal Code, it would return to the city council for hearing and final deliberation.

in News
<>Related Posts

Santa Monica City Council Approves Outdoor Drinking Zone on Third Street Promenade

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

New “Entertainment Zone” Will Allow Alcohol Consumption in Public Spaces If you have ever wished to have a cocktail or...

Details Unveiled for Venice Summer Fest 2025

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Organizers described the fest as “more than an event — it’s a community celebration that reflects the creativity, heart, and...

Palisades Couple Files Lawsuit Against California FAIR Plan, Other Major Insurers

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

The Jungwirths, who moved to Pacific Palisades last June with their three-year-old daughter, purchased a FAIR Plan policy after struggling...

(Video) Pacific Resident Theatre Debuts “Fostered”: A Comedy About Authenticity and Life Choices

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Firefighters and Wildfire Victims Have Free Admission to a Special May 16 Performance. For More Info, Go To Pacificresidenttheatre.org Firefighters...

Registration Now Open for Summer at New Roads

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

New Roads School is accepting registration for its summer program, a vibrant selection of classes and camps curated to meet...

AMC Theater Launches 50% Off Movie Tickets on Wednesdays 

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

 See More Movies for Less Money at AMC Theaters This Summer Great news for movie fans, starting July 9, catching...

Judge Reduces Menendez Brothers’ Life Terms, Citing Sincere Rehabilitation

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Menendez Brothers Express Remorse as Judge Grants Path to Parole More than three decades after they were imprisoned for the...

ICE Apprehends Santa Monica College Student Off-Campus

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

This apprehension comes amid heightened ICE activity in Southern California, where federal agents have targeted major cities including Los Angeles...

City of Malibu Accepting Poet Laureate Applications for 2025–2027 Term

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Malibu Invites Poets to Apply to Represent Malibu’s Creative Voice Malibu has opened the application period for its 2025–2027 Poet...

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Palisades Charter High School Wildfire Recovery

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The “Raise Pali Golf Tournament” includes a nine-hole game, prize putting contests, and a community reception A community-led golf tournament...

Registration Opens for Second Annual Venice Beach Run

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Race organizers promise a festive finish line atmosphere, complete with live DJs, a beer garden, a vendor expo, and giveaways...

Brentwood Art Center: Creative Art Camps for Kids and Teens this Summer

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The beloved Brentwood Art Center is hosting summer camps at its new location at Olympic & 17th in Santa Monica. ...

Loyola High School, Community Honors Braun Levi, 18, After Tragedy in Manhattan Beach

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Scholarship Fund Launched; Suspect with Suspended License Held Without Bail Tributes poured in over the weekend for Loyola High School...

City to Issue Solicitations for Affordable Housing Development at Bergamot Station Arts Center

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Proposals for the Bergamot Station Arts Center must prioritize maximizing affordable housing units while also considering potential artist housing and...

Historic Lloyd Wright-Designed Palisades Home Hits Market at $12.9M

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the estate for an Academy-winning composer A historic estate designed by architect...