The City of Santa Monica has released a Draft Framework Diagram for the future Great Park that will replace the Santa Monica Airport when it closes after 2028, marking the beginning of Phase 3B of the Santa Monica Airport Conversion (SMAC) Project.
City officials say the Framework builds on City Council direction and thousands of community ideas gathered since outreach began in 2024. In July 2025, the City Council directed staff and consultants to prepare a plan consistent with Measure LC, the 2014 voter-approved measure requiring that the airport land be converted into park space.
The draft Framework conceptualizes the 191.6-acre site as eight distinct “districts,” organizing how park, recreation, arts, cultural and nature-based uses could be distributed across the former airport property. The diagram explores what types of activities belong in different areas and how the overall character of the Great Park may take shape.
The City has launched an online survey, open through Sunday, March 29, 2026, to gather public feedback. The Framework presentation and survey are available at www.SMACproject.com. Residents can also submit detailed written comments via email to TheFutureOfSMO@santamonica.gov or planningteam@smacproject.com. Details on public and online presentations can be found at the bottom of this article. Use this link to access the survey in English. Use this link to access the survey in Spanish.
Park Supporters Pleased with Direction
Community groups praised the release of the draft plan.
“The Santa Monica Airport2Park Foundation is excited and gratified with this next step in planning for the Great Park,” said Neil Carrey, president of the foundation. “The Framework translates community engagement into an inspiring vision for what the future Great Park can become… It’s as if we are getting eight parks in one.”
John Fairweather, president of the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition, said the milestone highlights the importance of preserving the entire 192 acres for park and park-supporting uses. “A Great Park on the airport land will serve the whole community, as well as the environment,” he said.
Previous outreach identified the community’s top desired uses, including multi-use walking and cycling paths, gardens and urban forest space, nature reserves, wildlife habitat, multi-use sports fields, wetlands, an aquatics center, and a small outdoor amphitheater.
Housing Debate Simmers in Background
Notably absent from the Draft Framework and the accompanying survey is any discussion of housing on the airport site — an issue that has generated renewed debate in recent months.
As reported here, supporters of a potential ballot measure are exploring whether voters should be asked to allow housing on part of the airport land once it closes. Measure LC currently restricts development on the site primarily to park, open space and certain public uses unless voters approve additional flexibility.
The City’s current survey does not ask respondents whether housing should be included as part of the airport’s future. Instead, it focuses exclusively on park-related uses and the organization of the proposed districts.
That omission reflects the City’s present direction to plan a park consistent with Measure LC. However, with housing advocates organizing and the broader regional housing crisis continuing to shape land-use debates, the question of whether some portion of the 192 acres could eventually include housing remains politically unresolved.
For now, City officials are encouraging residents to review the draft Framework and participate in the survey as planning for the Great Park moves into its next phase — even as the larger conversation about the airport land’s long-term future continues.
Presentations
Community presentations – You can attend any of the following meetings in person to hear about the framework and/or provide a public comment.
- Arts Commission – February 18th, 6:30PM – 3026 Airport Ave., Santa Monica
- Recreation and Parks Commission – February 19th, 6PM, City Council Chambers
- Airport Commission – February 23rd, 7PM, City Council Chambers
- Sustainability Commission – February 23rd, 7PM, SMi Training Room, 2nd floor of Civic Center Parking Structure, 330 Olympic Drive
- Planning Commission – March 4th, 6PM, City Council Chambers
- Urban Forest Task Force – March 11th, 6:30PM, location TBD
- Virginia Park Advisory Committee – TBD
- Mar Vista Neighborhood Council – TBD
- Venice Neighborhood Council – TBD
There is also an online presentation that you can view here.
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