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The Santa Monica Airport is set to close by 2029, with the City Council approving plans to transform the site into a park. The airport, which covers 227 acres, has been the subject of community discussions for around 50 years, with residents citing concerns about its proximity to residential areas and recent plane crashes. The city has partnered with Sasaki Associates, Inc., an experienced firm in airport conversions, to lead the planning process and assess existing site conditions. Sasaki will work with the community to explore various scenarios for the future of the land, focusing on environmental sustainability, community connection, and economic self-sufficiency. The project aims to be environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible, with construction set to begin in early 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of closure | After December 31, 2028 |
| Size of the airport property | 227 acres |
| Percentage of the city's total land area | 4.3% |
| Agreement with | Sasaki Inc. |
| Number of phases in the agreement | 5 |
| Date of the agreement | Early 2024 |
| Date of presentation of the preferred scenario to the City Council | End of 2025 |
| Date of City Council possession of the airport land | January 1, 2029 |
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What You'll Learn
- Santa Monica City Council approved the closure of the airport in 2023
- The airport will close on December 31, 2028
- Sasaki Inc. will assess the site and propose options for the future of the land
- The land will be turned into a Great Park, with public spaces and recreational facilities
- The city has a history of legal disagreements with the FAA over the airport's operations and land use
Santa Monica City Council approved the closure of the airport in 2023
The Santa Monica City Council has approved the closure of the city's airport by 2028, taking a major step forward in the process by agreeing to a contract with Sasaki Inc. in December 2023. The council has been working towards closing the airport for many years, with community discussions and campaigns stretching back roughly fifty years. The airport, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, is set to be transformed into a park, with Sasaki Inc. assessing the site and gathering public input to propose options for the land's future use.
The 227-acre airport property, which was once a park, represents nearly five percent of the city's total land area. The city has obtained authorization to close the airport for aviation uses after December 31, 2028, with a resolution passed in 2017 codifying that plan. The property is subject to the voter-approved Measure LC, which restricts development to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities, ensuring that the land serves the community.
The City Council's decision to partner with Sasaki Inc. is a significant development, as the firm will provide valuable expertise in architecture, planning, landscape design, and airport conversions. Sasaki will work with the community to explore various scenarios for the airport land, generating alternatives that are environmentally sound, financially viable, and programmatically feasible. The process will involve five distinct phases, with a preferred scenario presented to the City Council for approval at the end of 2025.
The draft guiding principles for the transformation include a focus on environmental sustainability, community connection, economic self-sufficiency, versatility of use, and historical preservation. The project aims to unite people of all backgrounds and ages, creating a vibrant space for both large events and everyday activities. The process of closing the airport and redeveloping the land will be a collaborative effort, inviting community participation to meet the diverse needs of Santa Monica's residents.
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The airport will close on December 31, 2028
The Santa Monica Airport will close on December 31, 2028, marking the end of a century of operations. The City Council officially approved the process of closing the airport in January 2023, and the airport land will return to the city of Santa Monica on the last day of 2028.
The decision to close the airport has been a long time coming, with community discussions and campaigns spanning around fifty years. The airport has been a point of contention due to its proximity to residential areas, recent plane crashes, and the preferences of new homeowners in the surrounding area. In 2013, two groups, Citizens Against Santa Monica Airport Traffic (CASMAT) and Sunset Park Anti-Airport, Inc. (SPAA), rallied support for the airport's closure, with a poll showing that 80% of respondents favoured this outcome.
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. However, a "consent decree" agreed upon in 2017 between the city and the FAA confirmed the airport's closure date as December 31, 2028.
The city has approved an agreement with Sasaki Inc., an interdisciplinary architecture, planning, landscape, and design firm, to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future use of the airport 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. The process is expected to kick off in early 2024, with a preferred scenario presented to the City Council for review and approval by the end of 2025.
The future development of the airport land is subject to the voter-approved Measure LC, which restricts new construction to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities. The City Council will oversee the development process, ensuring that any proposals align with the established guiding principles and the community's vision for an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient space.
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Sasaki Inc. will assess the site and propose options for the future of the land
The City of Santa Monica has plans to close the Santa Monica Airport by 2028, which marks the end of a 100-year run for the airport. The City Council officially approved the process of closing the airport at a meeting on January 24, 2023. The city has had continual 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.
- Phase 1: Assess existing site conditions and gather public input.
- Phase 2: Develop guiding principles for the future use of the airport land.
- Phase 3: Define the future of the place by testing various scenarios that align with the guiding principles.
- Phase 4: Develop a detailed strategy for implementing the preferred alternative from Phase 3, while considering innovative ways to activate the site from day one of city possession.
- Phase 5: Present the proposal to the City Council for review and approval.
The draft guiding principles that have been presented to the council include:
- Start with Nature: Consider the impact of any future intervention on the natural environment and the land's ability to regenerate species and build community resilience against climate change.
- Inspire Wonder: Connect individuals of all backgrounds and ages in meaningful and powerful ways.
- Balance Economics: Achieve economic equilibrium by balancing revenue and costs.
- Amplify Versatility: Make the project vibrant for both large events and unprogrammed daily activities.
- Celebrate Place: Embrace the history of the site and share its stories.
The City Council will be able to approve the development of parks, public open spaces, and public recreational facilities, as well as the maintenance and replacement of existing cultural, arts, and educational uses on the land. New real estate development is prohibited without voter approval.
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The land will be turned into a Great Park, with public spaces and recreational facilities
The Santa Monica Airport is set to close by December 31, 2028, with plans to transform the land into a Great Park, offering public spaces and recreational facilities for the community. The City Council has taken a significant step towards this goal by approving an agreement with Sasaki Inc. (an interdisciplinary architecture, planning, landscape, and design firm) to assess the current site conditions and gather public input to shape the future of the airport land.
The 227-acre airport property, which was once a park, represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area. The closure of the airport has been a topic of community discussion for around 50 years, with residents citing concerns about its proximity to residential areas, recent plane crashes, and the potential closure of a portion of the runway. The transformation of the site into a Great Park aligns with the community's vision for the space, as expressed through the voter-approved Measure LC, which restricts development on the land to parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities.
Sasaki Inc.'s involvement in the project will be structured into five distinct phases. They will work closely with the community to explore and test various scenarios for the site, prioritizing environmental sustainability, community connection, economic viability, versatility of use, and historical preservation. This process will be guided by the draft guiding principles, which include "Start with Nature," "Inspire Wonder," "Balance Economics," "Amplify Versatility," and "Celebrate Place." Sasaki will also propose innovative ways to activate the site from the first day of the city's possession, ensuring a seamless transition from airport to park.
The City Council's decision to engage Sasaki Inc. and dedicate additional staff resources to the Airport Conversion Planning Project reflects their commitment to creating a space that meets the diverse needs of the Santa Monica community. The project is expected to kick off in early 2024, with Sasaki presenting their preferred scenario, informed by community input and council approval, by the end of 2025. The subsequent phases will involve developing a detailed strategy for implementing the chosen alternative and ensuring alignment with the established guiding principles.
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The city has a history of legal disagreements with the FAA over the airport's operations and land use
The City of Santa Monica has had a long history of legal disagreements with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) over the operations and land use of the Santa Monica Airport. The city has been trying to close the airport since the early 1980s, citing concerns about noise, pollution, and the risk of accidents in the surrounding neighbourhoods. However, the FAA and aviation interests have opposed these efforts, stating that the airport is essential for the region and must remain open under federal agreements dating back to World War II.
One of the key points of contention has been the type of aircraft allowed to operate at the airport. In 2011, a federal appeals court rejected the city's attempt to ban certain high-performance jets, and in 2017, the FAA agreed to allow the city to shorten the runway, effectively preventing most large jet-powered aircraft from using the facility. The city has also passed a resolution to restrict development on the airport property, allowing only parks, public open spaces, and recreational facilities, which has further complicated the matter.
Another issue is the zoning of the airport land. The site straddles both the City of Santa Monica and the City of Los Angeles, with a portion resting in Mar Vista. The unzoned nature of the airport land has raised questions about the political and legal ramifications for the future. To address these complexities, the City of Santa Monica has taken steps to assess the existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for the future use of the land. They have engaged Sasaki Inc., an interdisciplinary architecture and planning firm, to lead this process and develop a strategy that aligns with the community's vision for the site.
The closure of the airport has sparked debates, with supporters arguing its economic benefits and role as a reliever airport for Los Angeles International Airport. They also highlight its importance as a base for major emergencies and medical flights. However, opponents emphasise the negative impact of airport operations on the surrounding communities, including noise, pollution, and safety risks. The closure of the airport and its transformation into a "Great Park" is expected to be a significant transformative event for the city and the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Monica Airport is set to close on December 31, 2028.
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, with a focus on creating a "Great Park".
The airport property is approximately 227 acres, which represents nearly 5% of the city's total land area.
There has been community discussion about closing the airport for roughly fifty years due to concerns about its proximity to residential neighbourhoods, recent airplane crashes, and quality of life issues.
