As a Santa Monica parent with children in elementary and middle school, I have watched our city wrestle with decline, from empty storefronts and safety concerns to a feeling that City Hall had lost its ability to deliver. But today, for the first time in years, there is reason to feel hopeful.
Under City Manager Oliver Chi and the leadership of our current City Council, Santa Monica finally has a plan that matches the scale of our challenges. The Realignment Plan they approved is practical, ambitious, and grounded in the idea that good government can make life better for everyone.
It invests in what matters most to families like mine: safe streets, clean parks, and a downtown that feels alive again. It adds police and public safety officers where they are needed most, improves lighting and maintenance, and accelerates the buildout of our protected bike network. It also looks ahead, making it easier to open restaurants and small businesses, building new housing downtown, and setting a path to long-term financial stability.
What stands out most is the competence and teamwork behind it. Hiring Oliver Chi was a turning point. He has brought a steady operational focus and a sense of accountability that had been missing for too long. This Council backed him, worked collaboratively, and showed the unity needed to move Santa Monica forward.
Progress does not come from outrage or obstruction; it comes from leadership, partnership, and a willingness to act. The results are already visible in cleaner streets, renewed energy downtown, and a city organization that is finally aligned around clear goals.
I have read other op-eds calling for a Santa Monica renaissance. I share that hope. What this plan represents is the beginning of that possibility, a city choosing to believe in its own potential again. I am optimistic that this approach will help us get there.
The Realignment Plan is not just about recovery. It is about abundance, the belief that a thriving, welcoming city is something we can build together.
Eli Gill