Michigan Avenue will play host to a unique and exciting family-friendly festival between 9th and Euclid Streets this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.
As the second community-planning workshop for the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) project, Pop-Up MANGo takes the concept to the next level with temporary design installations in the street, an art workshop, music, and food.
The event is free and open to the public.
Pop-Up MANGo will feature installations of possible improvements for the corridor such as curb extensions, enhanced landscaping, places for neighbors to gather, and wayfinding signage.
Utilizing orange cones, barricades, sidewalk chalk, potted plants, and other impermanent objects, the event will create a temporary example of what the future Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway could be.
Community members are invited to visit each installation by foot or by bike and stop at event hubs located at 9th and 12th Streets to provide feedback.
Participants who visit each installation will fill their passport for a visit to one of two on-site food trucks: The Surfer Taco Truck and The Melt Bus. The Tango Mango Italian Ice Truck will also be on site to sell their delicious treats.
Both dead ends of 9th and 12th Streets will be closed to automobile traffic between Michigan Avenue and the freeway, while Michigan Avenue will remain open.
The two event hubs on 9th and 12th Streets will also feature music by local Santa Monica performers, a kids art workshop, and seating.
The festival showcases a small segment of the three-mile greenway.
During the event, Santa Monica Spoke will lead bike tours of the whole project spanning from Stewart Street to the beach. Participants are encouraged to walk or bike to Pop-Up MANGo.
Bike valet will be provided at each of the event hubs.
The Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway project would connect the neighborhood with schools and other community destinations via an inviting streetscape of clam roadways.
The concept of the greenway is to provide residents and visitors with a safe and comfortable place to walk or bike, interact with neighbors, play, travel, and relax.
The project will explore sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, increased landscaping and trees, cycling features, installation of benches, wayfinding signage, public art, and other amenities to create a neighborhood-focused streetscape.
Planning and outreach for the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway is being led by the City of Santa Monica’s Planning and Community Development Department.
A Caltrans Environmental Justice Grant has generously funded the project.
For more information visit www.smgov.net/Michigan.
