The Santa Monica City Council is set to debate the conversion of two parking facilities into affordable housing on Tuesday night. The agenda includes Item 11A, which proposes declaring several pieces of public property as “surplus land” and starting the application process for developers.
Parking Structure 1 at 1234 4th Street and a parking lot along Arizona between 4th and 5th Streets are among the locations identified as potential housing sites. A study suggests that these facilities have enough space to handle parking demands, even if using older data from busier economic times.
However, the city’s management of an ice rink project at the proposed location has raised concerns. The Downtown Santa Monica, Inc (DTSM) board was not informed about the issue before it was added to Tuesday’s agenda. DTSM CEO Andrew Thomas expressed hope for a public dialogue regarding Parking Structure 1 and the future of the site.
Last season, the ice rink project generated significant revenue, but officials say it’s too early to determine the financial results of this year’s winter season. Other items on the Council agenda include further clarification on a Gift Resolution and Gratuity Ordinance and options to raise individual contribution limits during political campaigns.
Source: https://smdp.com/news/item-16-discussions-set-to-dominate-tuesdays-city-council-meeting