
Santa Monica's iconic Civic Auditorium may soon get a facelift—or a complete redo—as California's Housing and Community Development Department gives the city the thumbs up, declaring it has met the requirements of the Surplus Land Act. In an announcement that cracks open the door for developers itching to transform the historic site, the city can now entertain offers from all comers according to the City of Santa Monica Official Website.
The Civic Auditorium, which has played host to a smorgasbord of events since its inception in 1958, was earmarked as surplus last October. And, while the city has been batting its lashes at eligible entities since—groups geared towards affordable housing, parks, and whatnot—not a single deal has been struck.
The auditorium's future has been ripe for speculation, with residents and developers alike eying the prime land with their own visions of grandeur. As the city officially wraps up its mandated dance with potential affordable housing partners, it's looking like the stage is set for a new act. A statement from the city declared, "Options for the future of this site are being evaluated along with next steps."
It was the city of Santa Monica that first gave the heads up on this development, stating, "The state certification that the Surplus Land Act process is complete" and confirming that the doors were wide open for bids. Santa Monica's savvy set is already buzzing with what could become of the storied venue, which includes potential prospects for development galore.