April 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Wide, Open Spaces: $182,424 a Year For a Concrete Quadrangle

By Jennifer Eden

In an effort to up Santa Monica City’s open spaces and parks, a massive expanse of concrete on the corner of Bundy Drive and Airport Avenue is now available for all to enjoy, and it’s costing Santa Monicans $182,424 a year.

According to the City, the six-acre Airport Interim Open Space has been created for “unprogrammed recreational use, including roller-blading, bicycle training for families and romantic sunset enjoyment,” with users encouraged to “imagine” what it may be like in the future.

While sitting in the middle of an expansive concrete quadrangle may be romantic for some, a recent survey taken by The Mirror over the course of eight weeks saw very little use of the area; at times a few lone fathers and their learning-to-bike-ride children were spotted where airplane tie-downs used to be.

“The tie downs were removed because they are no longer being used,” City representatives told The Mirror. According to the City, those that were being used have been relocated to other parts of the airport.

In lieu of the small $2,200 monthly revenue that the tie-downs were making in the space, the City now pays the Airport $15,202 a month to lease the concrete area. The monies are transferred from the General Fund to the Airport Fund totaling $182,424 a year.

“There are no immediate plans for programming at the temporary space, but it’s there for the community’s creative enjoyment,” Constance Farrell, Public Information Coordinator with the City of Santa Monica, told The Mirror.

No budget has been drafted or allocated to the actual building of the space into anything either, and if timelines reflect similar City projects, then it could be at least 2022 until building starts, drawing an estimated $1,094,544 in lease payments from City coffers over six years.

“Funding for the design phase of the expansion project is secured through the general fund, capital improvement program budget. The total for design is approximately $1.1 million. Financing for the construction phase has not been secured, but it is being explored,” Farrell explained.

No temporary programming, events, or community activities have been planned for the space, but you are welcome to go there and imagine what may, or may not, be next.

“We want people to get out there and explore the possibilities while also envisioning what it will be like when walking paths, sports fields and other amenities fill the space,” Farrell said.

Photos: Morgan Genser.
The vast, empty open airport park space where residents are encouraged to “envision” what might come next.
Greenery surrounds the space, but the six-acre area is empty.
<>Related Posts

Hands Off the Phone: SMPD Launches Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

One Text Could Cost You: SMPD Goes Into Heightened Alert in April The Santa Monica Police Department is stepping up...

Board of Supervisors Votes to Break from LAHSA, Create Independent County Homeless Department

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Montalvo Custom Tailors Offers Complimentary Wardrobe Recovery Services to Fire Victims

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Tailoring Confidence: Montalvo Helps Residents Rebuild Wardrobes with Grace Montalvo Custom Tailors, a staple of luxury menswear in Los Angeles...

Caruso Sets Expected Timeline for Palisades Village Reopening: Report

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Caruso recently told a local outlet that bringing life back to the village is essential Palisades Village remains closed in...

County Moves to Clear Fire Debris from Unresponsive Properties

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

The County plans to launch additional efforts, using data and community partners to reach roughly 1,000 unresponsive owners The Los...

County Report Finds Malibu School District Proposal Fails to Meet Standards: SMMUSD

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The LACOE feasibility study stems from a 2017 petition by the City of Malibu to form its own school district...

Nonprofit Warns of Heavy Metal Contamination in Santa Monica Bay

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

The contamination is linked to storm runoff carrying toxic debris from burned structures and scorched land in the Palisades, Topanga,...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/PUWlOc89JQ For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...

USC Launches Free Soil Testing to Assess Post-Fire Contamination

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Residents Can Submit Samples to Check for Lead and Other Toxins A new program led by researchers at the University...

Los Angeles County’s Measure A Raises Sales Tax On April 1, And It’s No Joke

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Malibu Will See Higher Increases Starting April 1, Los Angeles County residents will...

Malibu Schedules Two Key Public Meetings for Wildfire Recovery and Insurance Guidance

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

City Officials to Provide Technical Support and Insurance Market Updates at Two Meetings Malibu residents affected by recent wildfires are...

Santa Monica Launches Public Search for New City Manager

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

Nationwide Job Posting Seeks Leader to Guide City’s Future The City of Santa Monica has officially launched a nationwide search...

Palisades Youth Soccer Team Fundraises to Compete in Sweden Tournament

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The team is raising funds through GoFundMe, with donations aimed at covering travel costs, accommodations, and fees A youth soccer...

Seven-Bedroom Venice Pad on Shell Ave. Hits Market at Under $7M

March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The home sits on a 5,740-square-foot lot and includes a two-car garage A newly listed property in Venice, featuring modern...