City council to tackle Civic Center, Virginia Park tonight
By Daily Press staff
Two controversial development projects that have been on the drawing board for years are slated to be reviewed by the Santa Monica City Council tonight.
The Civic Center Plan and the Virginia Park Expansion are both likely to be debated by the council for months because of the wide-ranging changes they will bring once implemented for both the city and nearby residents.
The design scheme of the $120 million Civic Center Plan is centered around 11 acres the city purchased from the RAND Corporation in 2000 for $53 million. The city wants to completely overhaul the civic center area so it will better connect to downtown Santa Monica.
Not only will the design of the plan around City Hall on Main Street be heavily scrutinized, but many people want less low-income housing and more playing fields.
The civic center area would have a town square, a garden walk with botanical and sculpture gardens, open space and bicycle paths, as well as a childhood development facility and revamped City Hall, according to the recommendations of a “working group,” which created the current proposal.
The estimated 300 housing units may include family townhouses, flats and live-work units for artists. The working group suggested that 160 of the units be for low-income households.
However, the city’s housing commission suggested in December that more affordable housing should be built in order to create a “viable, mixed-income community” in the area. The commission also suggested more live-work space for artists be added in a smaller building on the north side of Olympic Drive between Ocean Avenue and Second Street.
The Santa Monica Planning Commission okayed the plan, though its members want the council to consider using some space for playing fields for organized sports.
The project would take up to 10 years to complete and would be paid for through the capital improvement plan, redevelopment agency tax increment funds, general obligation bonds and regional, state and federal funding sources. Affordable housing would be supported by local, state and federal housing funds.
The Virginia Avenue Park expansion, approved by the city planning commission last month, would include more parking, new basketball courts, field areas, a wading pool with restrooms, a changing area and storage space, as well as the renovation of two commercial buildings for office space.
Virginia Park is located between Virginia Avenue on the north, Pico Boulevard on the south and 21st Street and 23rd Street on the west and east.
The park has been subject of debate since the city started purchasing parcels next to the site in the mid-1980s. Some residents objected to proposals they thought would bring too much noise and traffic to the area.
City staff said the project is underfunded by $4.3 million, based on the cost estimates so far. They said they are working with the design team to reduce the funding gap.
The council meets at City Hall, 1685 Main Street, at 6:45 p.m. The meeting is broadcast live on cable channel 16.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 22, 2002. Read the original PDF.