Residents, and business and property owners were asked to pinpoint what they feel is right and wrong with downtown Santa Monica — specifically the Third Street Promenade — as well as ways to invest future money.
Here are their thoughts: Strengths: Big business, high tax dollars Strong commercial demand Strong consumer demand Close proximity to ocean and 10 Freeway High property values and taxes, which generates money for schools and city Regional retail draw Unique ambiance; a “sense of place” Strong neighborhoods Strong employment center Weaknesses: Lack of small businesses Prices too high Santa Monica Place mall Lack of parking and access Condition of parking structures Vagrants Lack of cleanliness Deteriorating capital improvements High housing costs Lack of restrooms Condition of existing restrooms Insufficient/weak retail on Second and Fourth streets Crime and perception that downtown is not safe Runaway minors on the Promenade Increased traffic; congestion as a result of Transit Mall Lack of housing Governmental regulatory barriers to business development Transit Mall design Bad odors emanating from parking structures, elevators and bathrooms Ways to improve downtown (with a new assessment district): More lighting Clean up sidewalks, alleys, parking structures Better signage from parking structures to Promenade More youth activities Improve traffic circulation, create downtown shuttle Improve development permitting process Create better special events Fast track redevelopment of Santa Monica Place User-friendly parking structures Concierge program on Promenade Remove homeless population Move Santa Monica Police substation back onto Promenade from Second Street Integrate/better connect Second and Fourth streets, the Promenade, Wilshire Boulevard and the pier Better branding and marketing of downtown Santa Monica Better holiday decorations Clean public bathrooms Encourage more types of entertainment Mixed price points for lodging Upgrade movie theaters Better bus rider information More live music venues Improve public bathroom locations Promote development on Second and Fourth streets Create a valet parking program Promote alternative transportation methods Raise the bar on the quality of street performers Create bicycle storage on Promenade Increase housing density, provide lower requirements for developers Bring light rail to downtown Santa Monica Improve elevators in parking structures; eliminate citrus odor designed to cover up urine smell More accountability on assessments levied upon property owners Spending priorities: Solve the homeless problem and its byproducts Redevelop Santa Monica Place Improve maintenance issues Create more bathrooms and keep them clean Improve alleys
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 24, 2006. Read the original PDF.