Owais Crawford
The Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, is a general aviation airport in Santa Monica, California, in the Greater Los Angeles area. It first opened in 1923, making it one of the oldest airports in the United States. However, after a long history of legal battles, protests, and community concerns, the airport is scheduled to shut down on December 31, 2028. The decision to close the airport stems from various factors, including noise pollution, safety issues, and environmental concerns affecting the surrounding residential areas. The City of Santa Monica has plans to redevelop the site, with a focus on creating a Great Park that will serve as a transformative community space. The process of planning and designing the new park will involve extensive community engagement and is expected to be a significant project for the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Closure | 31 December 2028 |
| Area | 215 acres |
| Alternative Use | Park |
| Runway Length | 4,925 ft shortened to 3,500 ft |
| Local Control | Measure LC |
| Voter Approval | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
Santa Monica Airport will close on 31 December 2028
Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, will close on 31 December 2028. The airport, which is located in Santa Monica, California, has been the subject of decades of legal battles and protests due to concerns about noise, pollution, and safety. The airport is surrounded by residential development, and the City of Santa Monica has enforced strict noise ordinances to address community concerns.
In 2014, the residents of Santa Monica voted 60% to 40% in favour of closing the airport. This decision was reinforced by the City Council's approval in 2023, allowing the city to begin planning for the airport's closure and the transformation of the 227-acre site. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to let the city shorten the runway, reducing jet traffic, and acknowledged the city's right to close the airport at the end of 2028.
The closure of the airport will significantly change the form and function of this substantial swath of land. The City Council intends to involve the community in designing the future of this site, with a focus on creating a Great Park consistent with Measure LC. Measure LC, passed in 2014, gives the City Council oversight over the development of parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities on the land. The city has also expressed interest in preserving existing cultural, arts, and educational uses.
While there are concerns about potential conflicts with new buildings in an already high-density area, the city is committed to working with residents to meet diverse community needs. The transformation of the airport site presents a unique opportunity for the City of Santa Monica to create a space that serves the needs and priorities of its residents.
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The 227-acre site will be replaced by a park
The Santa Monica Airport, also known as Santa Monica Municipal Airport, is set to close on December 31, 2028. The airport, which is about two miles from the Pacific Ocean and six miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, covers 215 acres of land.
The City of Santa Monica has had ongoing legal disagreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over control of airport operations and the use of the 227 acres of land that the airport occupies. The city has been addressing the community's noise concerns and enforcing the Aircraft Noise Ordinance, which includes a maximum allowable noise level, curfew hours, and operational limitations.
In 2014, residents voted 60% to 40% in favour of closing the airport. The vote, known as Measure LC, gives the City Council oversight over the use of the land that will be freed up by the airport's closure. The City Council will be able to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities, ensuring that any new development is in line with the community's needs and priorities.
The process of closing the airport and transforming it into a park is expected to be a significant transformative event for the City of Santa Monica and the region.
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The City Council will decide on the site's future development
The Santa Monica Airport, also known as SMO, is set to close on December 31, 2028. The City Council has approved plans to close the airport, and the site's future development will be decided by the council in collaboration with the community.
The airport covers 215 to 227 acres of land, and its closure has been a topic of debate for decades. The decision to close the airport was driven by various factors, including noise and pollution concerns, safety issues, and the desire to transform the site into a park or recreational space. The City Council will play a crucial role in deciding how this land will be utilized, ensuring that any development aligns with the community's needs and aspirations.
Measure LC, passed in 2014, grants the City Council oversight over the development of this land. The council will have the authority to approve plans for parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities. They will also oversee the maintenance and replacement of existing cultural, arts, and educational uses on the site. The council has emphasized the importance of community participation in designing the future of this transformative site.
To assist in this process, the city has engaged Sasaki Inc., a renowned landscape architecture firm, to assess the site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future development of the airport land. Sasaki will work closely with the community and conduct extensive research and outreach efforts to develop a preferred alternative for the site's future use. This proposal will then be presented to the City Council for review and final approval.
The City Council's decision-making process will involve carefully considering the community's input, addressing concerns, and balancing the diverse needs of Santa Monica's residents. The council will have to navigate between those who advocate for keeping the airport open and those who support its closure, ensuring that the chosen development option aligns with the community's vision for the site.
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The FAA agreed to shorten the runway, reducing jet traffic
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to allow the City of Santa Monica to shorten the runway of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) from 4,925 ft to 3,500 ft, a reduction of about 3,000 ft. This shortening of the runway effectively prevents most large jet-powered aircraft from using the airport, thereby reducing jet traffic. The agreement also acknowledged the city's right to establish its own company at the airport to provide aviation services such as fuel, hangars, and tie-down space for aircraft.
The decision to shorten the runway was made as part of a settlement to close the airport by December 31, 2028, and transform it into a park. The settlement ended decades of legal battles and protests by residents over issues such as noise, pollution, and safety concerns due to the airport's proximity to residential areas. The City of Santa Monica had been aggressively enforcing one of the most stringent noise ordinances in the nation, with measures such as maximum allowable noise levels, curfew hours, and operational limitations.
The airport's closure and the shortening of its runway have significant implications for the future of the 227-acre site. The City Council, through Measure LC, has the authority to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities on the land. However, new real estate development is prohibited without voter approval, and the land can only be used for open space or recreation, as per the charter amendment.
The process of planning for the airport's closure and the site's future began in 2023, with the City Council approving an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the creation of a "Great Park." The City of Santa Monica is also planning to hire a principal design and planning manager dedicated to the project. The transformation of the airport site is expected to be a significant event for the city and the region, with residents eagerly anticipating the possibilities for the large parcel of land.
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The airport's closure will address noise and safety concerns
The Santa Monica Airport is set to close on December 31, 2028, with plans to replace the site with a park. The airport has been the subject of much controversy, with residents citing noise and safety concerns as reasons for its closure.
The airport, located in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, has been the source of significant noise pollution for the surrounding community. The City of Santa Monica has enforced strict noise ordinances, including a maximum allowable noise level, curfew hours, and operational limitations. However, residents have continued to experience high levels of noise from aircraft operations.
In addition to noise concerns, safety has been a significant issue. The airport's proximity to residential areas has raised worries about the potential for accidents and crashes involving aircraft. There have been several incidents in the past, including a crash into an apartment building in the Fairfax district that resulted in five fatalities.
To address these concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) agreed to allow the City to shorten the runway, effectively preventing most large jet-powered aircraft from using the airport. This move substantially reduced jet traffic and brought some relief to residents.
The closure of the airport will finally put an end to the noise and safety issues that have plagued the community for decades. The site's transformation into a park will provide a much-needed green space for residents and will allow for a safer and more peaceful living environment.
The process of closing the airport and planning its replacement has involved extensive community engagement and discussions about the future use of the land. The City Council has approved the closure and is working towards a transformative event that will shape the City of Santa Monica and the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Monica Airport is scheduled to close at the end of 2028.
Santa Monica Airport is shutting down due to community concerns about noise, pollution, and safety. The airport is surrounded by residential development, and the City of Santa Monica has enforced strict noise ordinances to address these concerns. Additionally, the city has had legal disagreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over control of airport operations and the use of the land.
The City Council of Santa Monica has approved plans to redevelop the airport site into a park with recreational facilities, public open spaces, and cultural and educational amenities. The community will be involved in designing the new space. However, new real estate development is prohibited without voter approval, and the land can only be used for open space or recreation.
Santa Monica Airport (SMO) opened on April 15, 1923, and is one of the oldest airports in the United States. It has been a significant general aviation airport, once serving as the busiest single-runway airport in the world. The airport covers 215-227 acres of land and reached its 100th anniversary in 2022 before its scheduled closure in 2028.
