July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Pico Neighborhood Ready For New Library:

The Pico Neighborhood may again be on track to have its very own library, but it may only come to fruition if the City of Santa Monica pays a hefty “ransom” to Sacramento.

About 20 years in the making, the Pico Branch Library could start construction in mid-2012. If all goes well, it could open in 2013 as the Santa Monica Public Library’s (SMPL) fifth branch, which would be located adjacent to the Thelma Terry Community Center at Virginia Avenue Park.

Council members approved a single-story design plan submitted by Koning Eizenberg Architects on Feb. 22, but its future has been fairly uncertain up until this month.

Up until Aug. 9, a major obstacle to the new Pico Branch Library was the potential lack of funding.

There was $11.4 million allocated in Redevelopment Agency (RDA) funds for the new library, but Gov. Jerry Brown had threatened to cut state RDA funds to local municipalities in order to stabilize California’s budget. However, on Aug. 9 the RDA funds were preserved, but with some conditions.

While Brown signed one bill into law eliminating all RDAs in the state, he also moved forward a second piece of legislation that allows municipalities to maintain their RDAs “if they agree to make huge ransom payments to the state,” said Andy Agle, Santa Monica’s director of Housing and Economic Development.

Last week, Santa Monica’s council decided to make those payments. The City’s first installed “ransom” payment to the state would be $27 million; another $6.4 million would be paid annually afterward.

Tom Afschar, the library’s project manager, estimated construction would take about 19 months. He said the only formality left was to complete the design development phase

Originally, about $12.8 million in RDA funds was allocated to the library. The funding also included plans to increase parking at Virginia Avenue Park. However, it was ultimately decided that no new parking would be required and the funding allocation was adjusted accordingly to $11.4 million.

Originally part of the neighborhood’s 1983 community plan, the Pico Branch Library will be a welcome addition by some of the area’s residents, including Crystal Anderson, who commended council members for pushing forward the project during the Feb. 22 meeting.

“We are happy that finally Pico Neighborhood gets a library,” Anderson said. “It’s been several decades of asking for it. All of the other neighborhoods already have a library. If this project gets stopped, it’s again the Pico Neighborhood who loses out.”

At the Feb. 22 council meeting, Council member Kevin McKeown acknowledged the patience of residents who live in the Pico neighborhood who have wanted their own library.

“Our Pico neighborhood has waited its turn,” McKeown said. “It’s exciting to be here on the council in the moment in history when we finally get to move this forward. (The library is) meant to also attract neighborhood youth to mix education with their recreation by having a library right there in the park. It’s going to be a new and key resource in our lifelong learning community.”

However, some area residents believe taxpayers were the real losers.

“We’re opening a library that is completely useless. It’s essentially a stripped-down version of a library,” said Robert Kronovet, the chairman of Pico Improvement Organization, who spoke out as an individual, adding the library would not revitalize the Pico Neighborhood. “We’re destroying the (Saturday) farmer’s market,” he said. “We’re shoving a library into a municipal property. It’s a lousy use of taxpayer money.”

Still, that municipal property, which has a community center named after a local activist, is on the verge of having a 7,500 square foot structure serving as a local library that the Public Works Department said was “a convenient location for educational and cultural programming.”

As it stands now, the closest libraries for Pico residents are the Ocean Park or Fairview branches.

As part of the new library’s design and construction, certain aspects of Virginia Avenue Park’s surrounding area would be preserved, including green park space, recreational programs, and a farmer’s market. Additionally, the new library branch includes plans for a detached community room and a new seating area in the park. Council must first approve design schematics before construction can commence.

in News
<>Related Posts

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...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...