July 12, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Hall Seeks $12 Million In Grants From MTA:

As much as $12.2 million could be made available to Santa Monica to spend on Capital Improvement Projects if City Hall’s grant applications to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are successful.

Santa Monica’s City Council convened for the first time in 2013 last Tuesday and immediately approved as part of its consent calendar a resolution to authorize seven grant applications seeking $12,268,050 from the MTA as part of the Authority’s 2013 Call for Projects.

Most of the funds would be directed toward Expo Line projects.

Any funds awarded would be allocated for capital projects during the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year.

“Historically, the Call for Projects grant funding has provided the City with one of the best opportunities to compete for Federal, State, and County transportation funding,” a City staff report stated. 

City Hall will be applying for seven grants in six categories: Signal Synchronization and Bus Speed Improvements; Transportation Demand Management; Bicycle Improvements; Pedestrian Improvements; Transit Capital; Transportation Enhancement Activities.

According to City staff, “a local cash match is required for all applications.”

The City staff report to council members detailed each of the seven projects it hopes will be funded.

The largest grant request is for $4.195 million and would be used to replace the nine of the City’s 40-foot LNG buses with five 60-foot alternative fuel buses.

Another $2.5 million is sought for enhancements linking the Fourth Street Expo Line Station to the Civic Center and downtown area.

“This project would fund the planning and construction of upgrades on 4th Street between Broadway and Olympic Drive to increase pedestrian/bicyclist safety, to provide access and mobility, and encourage walking and biking between the Downtown, Civic Center, and the Expo light rail station,” City staff stated.

Similarly, City Hall is requesting $2.5 million for an extension of the Expo Bike Path at Seventeenth Street and Michigan Avenue. City staff indicated the bike path would extend “south along 17th Street to Pico Boulevard and westward along Michigan Avenue to Lincoln Boulevard.”

A third Expo-related project included in the grant request is to install safety and security lighting for transit access as the Colorado and Seventeenth Street station.

“This project would increase pedestrian safety and security in accessing the Expo light rail station … with the installation of pedestrian lighting,” City staff stated.

The grant request is for $2.47 million.

City Hall is requesting $2 million to construct a Bike and Mobility Hub at the Expo Line’s Seventeenth Street Station, which will be complete with “secured bike parking spaces, multi-modal travel information, and self-service bicycle maintenance tools for the public.”

To help Expo riders visiting Santa Monica to get around town, City Hall seeks to add multi-modal way-finding signs. A request for $1.475 million, if funded the way-finding project would result in “two signs per relevant intersection within a minimum four block radius surrounding each of the three Expo stations” being installed. The funds would also pay for real-time parking signage informing drivers of which of the City’s parking structures have space available.

Finally, City Hall seeks a grant for $600,000 for a citywide signal detection system, allowing for signal synchronization and bus speed improvements.

“This project would install bicycle detection at 20 to 30 intersections on transit corridors to reduce signal delay for transit and autos,” City staff stated. “Santa Monica has installed bike detection at 30 percent of signalized intersections; this project would fund another 15 percent.”

The grant applications are due to the MTA by Jan. 18; MTA will inform City Hall by Sept. 26 whether the grants have been awarded.

in News
<>Related Posts

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...

(Video) Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

To Sign Up Now, Go To Schoolofrock.com Summer Camp at School of Rock West LA Turns Kids Into Rockstars To...

L.A. Louver Marks David Hockney’s 88th with Exhibit

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Hockney, a British artist born in 1937, gained fame with the British Pop Art movement and later became known for...

Suspect Arrested in Shoe Retail Theft Spree Across LA County

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

During the search, police recovered two firearms and a significant quantity of merchandise The Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail...

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...