New visions for the Santa Monica Airport land are on the flight path as the City Council gears up to discuss a proposal that could transform the site into a community sanctuary. The local government body is set to weigh in on whether Sasaki Associates, Inc. should be selected to lead a comprehensive study on repurposing the massive expanse of land, as reported by the City of Santa Monica in a statement released Tuesday.
The council will mull over an agreement next week to diagnose the current airport grounds and solicit public input in an effort directed by Measure LC, which was favored by voters to steer development toward public recreational and cultural use.
This initiative, taking off with more than 60 planned meetings and listening sessions over 21 months, promises to let locals' voices soar. From pinpointing existing conditions to completing the final plan, Sasaki Associates is expected to navigate through various alternatives, focusing on the potential for a "Great Park" alongside factoring in dollars and cents with economic feasibility studies.
The runway for the airport's closure has been clear since the City of Santa Monica locked in authorization to shut down aviation activities by the end of 2028. Since the decision in 2017, each step towards redevelopment has sparked significant interest in the city, watching five percent of its entire land mass enter a phase of metamorphosis with Sasaki's assignment potentially serving as the blueprint. When it all comes together, a preferred alternative will be presented to the City Council for final approval, as articulated in the City's statement.
The consultancy’s plan will also lay out strategies for financing any prospective transformations. For those looking to gain altitude on details or to provide written public comment for the looming Dec. 19 City Council meeting, they are directed to engage via the city's official press release.
