MCB is seeking to build about 195 hotel rooms, 206,800 square feet of office space, 42,200 square feet of retail space and 48 affordable residential units on Arizona Avenue. The 12-story structure would be built on City owned land in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/October-2015/10_22_2015_Santa_Monica_Council_Still_Split_on_Controversial_Plaza_Project.html

October 21, 2015 -- With a dearth of housing funds, Santa Monica is turning to private developers to build projects such as the proposed 64-unit affordable housing development reviewed by the City's Architectural Review Board (ARB) on Monday.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/October-2015/10_21_2015_64_Unit_Affordable_Housing_Complex_Proposed_For_Downtown_Santa_Monica.html

The public planning process around the 4th/5th/Arizona mega-parcel goes back many years. 

Read More: http://smdp.com/urban-plaza/151610

I see the development proposal before you, on city-owned land on Arizona, between 4th and 5th Streets as harbinger of a potentially threatening, irreversible future ...

Read More: http://smdp.com/open-letter-city-council/151614

ONE OF THE MAJOR ARGUMENTS proffered for building more low-income housing here is to maintain community diversity. “We don’t want Santa Monica to turn into another Beverly Hills,” is a frequent comment from the prodevelopment/affordable housing/Santa Monica Forward lobby

Read More on page 4: http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/101915.pdf

October 19, 2015 -- Facing stiff opposition from slow-growth advocates, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday will explore ways to reduce office space at a major mixed-use development proposed for a City owned site in the heart of Downtown.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/October-2015/10_19_2015_Santa_Monica_Council_Takes_Another_Look_at_Major_Downtown_Project.html

State legislation related to affordable housing, rent control and landlord/tenants was more notable this year for what failed than what succeed, according to a report presented to the Rent Control Board last week.

Read More on page 1: 

http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/101615.pdf

October 16, 2015 -- With little controversy, the City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday for a mixed-use development on Fifth Street between Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/October-2015/10_16_2015_Council_Approves_Downtown_Santa_Monica_Mixed_Use_Project.html

October 15, 2015
 -- In an act that several council members said was the beginning of transforming Santa Monica’s Lincoln Boulevard into a pedestrian friendly street, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a mixed-use development to replace a long-existing Denny’s.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/October-2015/10_15_2015_Santa_Monica_Council_Approves_Dennys_Replacement_Project.html

State legislation related to affordable housing, rent control and landlord/tenants was more notable this year for what failed than what succeed, according to a report presented to the Rent Control Board last week.

Read More: http://smdp.com/mixed-bag-renters-sacramento/151429