July 21, 2025 10:26 AM
by Mayor Lana Negrete

Read her speech at: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/2025-state-of-the-city-speech-by-mayor-lana-negrete

The project, led by EAH Housing at 1318 Fourth St., will feature 122 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, all designated as 100% affordable housing. The development includes a 20,000-square-foot ground-floor grocery market and a two-level subterranean parking garage. Located in the Bayside Conservation Zoning District, the city-owned property is exempt from the Downtown Community Plan and Zoning Ordinance due to its affordable housing designation.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/07/board-considers-new-design-of-six-story-affordable-housing-development/

“As the City is broke and on the edge of bankruptcy, proponents seem to suggest starting simply—create walking paths, install basic amenities, plant shade trees, and wait for a generous philanthropist to fund the full transformation.” writes Bob Taylor

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/07/sm-a-r-t-column-smo-so-many-options-part-4-its-the-economy-s/

Nearly five years after the City Council rejected The Plaza mixed-use hotel project in the heart of Downtown, the City is actively seeking proposals to develop the 2.57-acre site.

The City's "Notice of Availability" issued on June 30 seeks a developer that can "provide a minimum of 362 affordable residences" and explore "other potential commercial uses."

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/July-2025/07_18_2025_City_Seeks_Proposals_for_Prime_Downtown_Site.html

Santa Monica implemented the reforms outlined in the bill five years ago, when it allowed major housing developments outside residential zones to be approved administratively by planning officials.

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/July-2025/07_17_2025_Historic_Housing_Bill_Won't_Impact_Santa_Monica.html

The largest site, the 5.6-acre Bergamot Station Arts Center at 2525 Michigan Avenue, currently hosts 30 small businesses, including art galleries and a restaurant, with leases extending to 2027.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/07/santa-monica-offers-city-owned-properties-for-affordable-housing-development/

Santa Monica will launch its 150th anniversary celebration at the annual State of the City event on Thursday, July 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Reed Park and the newly reopened Miles Memorial Playhouse.

Read More on page 5: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071425.pdf%0A

Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a proposal to split up the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency — an awkward grabbag of disparate bureaucratic operations — into two fresh agencies: One just for housing and homelessness-related departments and one for everything else. The Legislature had until July 4 to veto the plan. It didn’t (though some Republicans tried). Now the work of standing up California’s first housing agency begins. 

Read More on page 3: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/071425.pdf%0A

They are hoping the City will allow mixed uses within the building, which I believe is a prelude to potentially selling the property. I fully support their request to modify permitted uses. What would be truly unfortunate is if RAND were to leave Santa Monica entirely. The corporation’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of our City. In 1946, it was spun off from Douglas Aircraft’s Research and Development Division. The “R & D” label later evolved into the acronym RAND.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2025/07/sm-a-r-t-column-does-the-rand-corporation-have-a-future-in-santa-monica/

The bill allows new residential buildings of up to seven stories near major transit stops, which applies to most of Santa Monica's 8.3 square miles ("Bill to Boost Housing Near Transit Gets Council Backing," May 13, 2025).

Read More: https://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2025/July-2025/07_08_2025_Housing_Bill_Backed_by_Council_Clears_Hurdle.html