Lois Larson
The Santa Monica Airport is set to close by 2028, with the City Council approving plans to shut it down in 2023. The airport covers 227 acres of land, which is nearly 5% of the city's total area. The decision to close the airport comes after years of community discussion and campaigns, with residents voting in favour of its closure in 2014. The city has hired Sasaki Inc. to assess the site and gather public input to propose options for the future use of the land, with a focus on creating a Great Park. The process of closing the airport and redeveloping the land is expected to be a significant transformation for the city, with some residents expressing concerns about potential high-rise developments and increased density in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport size | 227 acres |
| Percentage of city's total land area | 4.3% to 5% |
| Date of closure | After December 31, 2028 |
| Date of vote to close the airport | 2014 |
| Percentage of votes in favour of closing the airport | 60% |
| Company hired to assess the existing site conditions | Sasaki Inc. |
| Number of meetings and listening sessions Sasaki is set to host | 60 |
| Measure passed by voters in 2014 | Measure LC |
| What Measure LC allows | Approval of the development of parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities |
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What You'll Learn
- Santa Monica City Council approved the process of closing the airport
- The airport's 227-acre property represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area
- The city plans to hire a new principal design and planning manager
- The airport site will likely be redeveloped for open space
- The city has had legal disagreements with the FAA over control of the airport
Santa Monica City Council approved the process of closing the airport
The Santa Monica City Council has approved the process of closing the airport, marking a significant step forward in the airport's century-long history. The decision, made during a meeting on January 24, 2023, will allow the city to plan for the airport's closure by the end of 2028. The airport, which covers 227 acres of land, accounts for nearly 5% of the city's total land area.
The City Council has approved an agreement with Sasaki Inc., a renowned landscape architecture firm, to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future use of the land. Sasaki will work closely with the community to explore environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible alternatives, with a focus on creating a "'Great Park'." This process will involve over 60 meetings and listening sessions with community members, city boards, and the city council.
The decision to close the airport has been a long-standing discussion in the community, with residents voting 60% to 40% in favour of closure in 2014. The desire for closure has been driven by concerns about the airport's proximity to residential areas, airplane crashes, and quality of life issues for local residents. Measure LC, passed by voters in 2014, gives the City Council oversight over the development of the land, restricting it to parks, public open spaces, and recreational, cultural, arts, and educational facilities.
The city has obtained authorization to close the airport for aviation uses after December 31, 2028, with a resolution passed in 2017 codifying this plan. The future development of the land will be a transformative event for the city, and the City Council is committed to working with the community to set goals and priorities that meet diverse needs. While some residents worry about potential high-rise development, others see the need for housing and development in the area. The process of closing the airport and redeveloping the land will be a complex and lengthy undertaking, with the city facing the challenge of funding the conversion of the land into a park while also addressing concerns about air quality, stormwater management, and species habitation.
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The airport's 227-acre property represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area
The Santa Monica Airport is a 227-acre property that represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area. The airport, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, is set to close by December 31, 2028, following a vote by the residents in 2014. The decision to close the airport was influenced by various factors, including its proximity to residential areas, recent plane crashes, and concerns about air quality.
The airport's closure has been a topic of community discussion for around fifty years, with several campaigns launched to gain support for its closure. In 2013, two groups, Citizens Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic (CASMAT) and Sunset Park Anti-Airport, Inc. (SPAA), voiced their concerns about the airport's negative impact on the quality of life for local residents.
The 227-acre property, which was once a park, is an attractive prospect for developers due to its size and location. However, the city's plans for the site are focused on creating more park space and recreational facilities. The city has obtained authorization to close the airport for aviation uses and has passed a resolution to restrict development on the property. Measure LC, approved by voters, limits the use of the land to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities, preserving the land for community use and environmental benefits.
The future of the airport land is a complex issue. While some residents worry about potential high-rise buildings and increased density, others recognize the need for housing development. The city has hired Sasaki Inc., a renowned landscape architecture firm, to assess the site, gather public input, and propose options for the land's future, ensuring that the process is inclusive and carefully planned. Sasaki will work with the community to explore environmentally sound and financially viable scenarios, with a focus on creating a Great Park. The process is expected to be lengthy, with Sasaki conducting research and outreach over several years before presenting their preferred alternative to the City Council for review and approval.
The closure of the Santa Monica Airport and the redevelopment of its 227-acre property represent a significant opportunity to shape the city's future. The process will require careful planning, community engagement, and consideration of various factors to ensure that the final decision aligns with the needs and priorities of Santa Monica's residents.
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The city plans to hire a new principal design and planning manager
The City of Santa Monica has plans to close the Santa Monica Airport by 2028, which was approved by the City Council in January 2023. The airport, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, sits on 227 acres of land, accounting for nearly 5% of the city's total land area.
The city has hired Sasaki Inc. to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land, with a focus on creating a "Great Park." Sasaki will work closely with the community to explore environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible alternatives that align with the established guiding principles for the "Great Park."
To support this project, the city plans to hire a new principal design and planning manager dedicated to overseeing the conversion of the airport into a park. This manager will work closely with Sasaki Inc. and additional staff resources to ensure a successful transformation. The hiring process is currently pending Personnel Board approval, which is expected to be granted in January 2024, allowing the project to kick off in early 2024.
The new principal design and planning manager will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the airport site. They will be responsible for leading the design and planning process, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring that the project aligns with the community's vision and needs. The manager will also need to address concerns about potential high-rise developments and find a balance between those who want to keep the airport open and those who support its closure.
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The airport site will likely be redeveloped for open space
The Santa Monica Airport, which celebrated its centenary in 2022, is set to close by 2028. The City Council has approved the process of closing the airport, and the city has obtained authorization to do so after December 31, 2028. The 227-acre airport property, which was once a park, represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area.
The City Council has approved an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land, centered around a "Great Park." Sasaki will work with the community to explore and test various scenarios for the future of the airport land, generating alternatives that are environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible.
There are differing opinions on how the land should be used. Some residents are concerned about high-rise buildings being constructed and the potential conflict new buildings would have with the already high-density area. Others argue that the land should be used for housing and development. Some have suggested that the land be renaturalized, with aspects of a park, to help with air quality, stormwater management, and species habitation. Others have proposed a mix of high-density housing, offices, and a large park, using the proceeds to fund a new airport outside developed areas.
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The city has had legal disagreements with the FAA over control of the airport
The City of Santa Monica has had a long history of legal disagreements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over control of the airport and the use of the 227 acres of land that the airport occupies. In 2014, residents voted 60% to 40% in favour of closing the airport, with some citing concerns about its proximity to residential areas, recent plane crashes, and the potential for high-rise development on the site.
The city has used local regulations since the 1970s to address residents' quality of life issues related to the airport. In 2013, two community groups, Citizens Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic (CASMAT) and Sunset Park Anti-Airport, Inc. (SPAA), campaigned for the airport's closure, citing similar reasons. A "consent decree" agreed upon in 2017 between the city and the FAA will return the land to the city of Santa Monica on December 31, 2028, allowing for the airport's closure.
The city has obtained authorization to close the airport for aviation uses after this date and passed a resolution in 2017 to that effect. Measure LC, passed by voters in 2014, gives the City Council oversight over the land's use, restricting development to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities. It also allows for the maintenance and replacement of existing cultural, arts, and educational uses.
The city recently approved an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess the site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future of the airport land, with a focus on creating a Great Park. Sasaki will work with the community to explore various scenarios that are environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible, while also aligning with established guiding principles. The process is expected to be lengthy, with Sasaki expected to gather community input over a couple of years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Santa Monica Airport is closing for aviation uses after December 31, 2028. The City Council officially approved the process of closing the airport at a meeting on January 24, 2023.
The desire of many residents and the city to close the airport has been part of the community discussion for roughly fifty years. Several campaigns have been launched to rally support and affect the airport's closure, including Citizens Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic (CASMAT) and Sunset Park Anti-Airport, Inc. (SPAA). Their reasons for closing the airport include the airport being too close to residential neighborhoods, recent airplane crashes, and the potential closure of 2,000 feet of the runway.
The 227-acre airport property, which was once a park, will likely be redeveloped for open space. Measure LC, passed by Santa Monica voters in 2014, allows the city council to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities. Real estate development is prohibited on airport land unless approved by voters. Sasaki Inc. will work with the community to explore and test various scenarios for the future of the airport land, generating alternatives that are environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible.
