The Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA) was formed with the vision of empowering residents to enhance their quality of life, gain rightful share of city resources, and defend the right of the most vulnerable of us to remain in the city and the neighborhood.
Although the neighborhood organization was formed in 1979, it was during PNA’s first year of funding in 1980 to 1981 that PNA received a Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the city of Santa Monica for $50,000. Members began shifting their focus, organizing block clubs and knocking on doors. The PNA involves itself and its neighbors in the process of uplifting its unique community and making a difference in the lives everyday people. Prior to the advent of PNA, neighborhood housing was deteriorating, streets were unsafe for children, rents were rising, and alleys and streets were in disrepair. At that time, City Hall spent federal dollars targeted for low-income citizens and people of color elsewhere in Santa Monica.
The PNA vowed to “save the neighborhood for those who live here now” and held its first comprehensive planning session, producing a community plan. The community plan addressed issues such as housing, traffic, neighborhood beautification, commercial/industrial development, crime, youth and public services. Because of outstanding resident participation and strong local leadership, the PNA has seen some of the goals of that early community plan become reality, such as street and sidewalk repairs, enhanced street lighting and traffic protection plans, traffic reduction, and an expansion and renovation of Virginia Avenue Park.
While many improvements have been done to improve the lives of residents in the Pico neighborhood, there are still many issues that continue to be present from the original community plan back in 1983. The PNA will continue to address the issues that affect our residents that include the need for affordable housing, culturally relevant social services for youth, promoting community-centered policing, improved community-police relations and addressing the impacts of gentrification. We want a better neighborhood with the same neighbors.
The PNA has many things to be proud of in its 26-year history. As a neighborhood, we have pursued our dreams and we have stuck it out long enough to see a lot of them come true. We will continue to speak out to ensure that our community is given the resources and attention from City Hall that our families need and deserve.
The PNA’s boundary includes Lincoln Boulevard, Centinela Avenue and Pico Boulevard and Colorado Avenue. The PNA board is currently represented by the following board members: Maria Loya, Wes Thompson, Ana G. Jara, Irma Carranza, Gina Ingineri, Ruth Ramos, Clyde Smith, Gina De Baca, Joesph Blanks, Michael Jackson and Kristina Lizama.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 22, 2006. Read the original PDF.