shrubs around the trees per the 1997 plan may be wasteful, since the shrubs may be trampled by pedestrians and also will be difficult to maintain.
Also, most of the board members preferred a modern look to historic-looking lamps.
Presenting alternatives to the 1997 plan, nationally known designer Cliff Garten reviewed with Bayside board members some of his group’s local projects — including his “harbor view,” a mixed-use residential and retail development along three blocks of Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach lined with tall, spiraling blue lighting sculptures — an artistic approach he said could also be used to enhance and distinguish the walking experience in downtown Santa Monica.
“I’m suggesting a complete identity (for Second and Fourth streets) between the street, trees and lighting,” Garten said. “It’s a given that any lighting changes would be intended to enhance commercial activity.”
Board members said they were impressed by Garten’s ideas, but they were concerned artistic lighting sculptures would be too cost prohibitive for the street improvement project.
The board urged Garten and his designers, working as paid consultants, to focus on less expensive lighting improvement measures to try to maximize how much could be done with the grant.
Board members agreed, however, one way to bolster the Second and Fourth street improvements with more artistic lighting fixtures was to hold off on replacing the ficus trees, which an arborist at the meeting said are expected to remain healthy for 30 more years.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 2, 2005. Read the original PDF.