| OPA Board Member Spotlight – Andrew Lee: Andrew moved to Santa Monica with his wife, Elizabeth, in 2022. They had spent the previous two years living nomadically throughout the United States, trying to figure out where they wanted to plant roots. After driving through 33 states and visiting 18 National Parks, they decided there was no place better in the world than Santa Monica, specifically Ocean Park. Now Andrew & Elizabeth have a brand-new baby boy, born in Santa Monica, and they own a small condo in Ocean Park. By day, Andrew works in the technology industry. He is excited to help contribute to OPA as the 2026 Secretary. |
| Upcoming OPA Events: |
| Ocean Park Social Club – Special Event this Friday (Feb. 20) 7pm: You’re invited to experience The Jar for an evening of art, conversation, and community. Here’s a Washington Post feature on The Jar. The Jar brings people together through cultural gatherings that spark connection across difference, especially with those who don’t look, pray, or love like them. I’m inviting you (and your partner) to join us and ask that you bring along one other neighbor with you. Someone you enjoy, someone you’re curious about, or someone you’d love to experience this with. There’ll be art, there’ll be dinner, there’ll be dessert! Would you like to be part of this evening? @ 235 Hill St. RSVP: HERE (It is free, donation optional)OPA Happy Hour March 4: Our next community gathering will be at Lula’s. Stay tuned for more info. |
| 2028 Olympic Road Race Course Planned to go Down Main St: Phil Gaimon is a well-known American professional road cyclist, author, and cycling personality and in this video he details the leaked plans he has seen detailing that route from Venice to Malibu via Main St. |
| Chez Luna Bringing Pet Adoptions And Lattes To Main St: An exciting new concept is heading to 2929 Main St. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Chez Luna. Chez Luna is billing itself as a pet “adoption cafe” and describes itself as: “A first-of-its-kind space where premium lattes meet live puppy love.” Coffee and pooches? Sign me up. They are aiming for a summer opening. More details here. |
| From the Desk of Councilmember Dan Hall: Here is the Councilmember’s newsletter covering a variety of topics, including how they are working to Achieve Safe Neighborhoods & Clean Streets, Activate Economic Opportunity & Growth, and Develop Affordable, Livable, & Secure Housing for All. He highlights major visible park upgrades that were completed at Palisades Park, Marine Park, and Memorial Park, the Valentine’s Day “rave on the Promenade” that drew 10,000 visitors according to organizers, new padel courts opening downtown, and multiple new businesses are slated to open across Montana, Wilshire, Main, Lincoln, and Ocean Park. |
| New LA City law aims to unlock 50 million sq. ft. of empty office space: Housing development across Los Angeles is expected to accelerate this month as a new citywide adaptive reuse ordinance takes effect…Under the new law, commercial properties throughout the city are eligible for potential residential reuse. More details here. |
| Airport Closure Update: The City’s Airport Conversion (SMAC) Project Team has released its proposed framework for the land post-closure. The team will be presenting the “Framework Diagram” at various board and commission meetings over the next two months. You can learn more about the proposed framework here. |
| Seascape magazine is coming back — first print edition since 2022: The City’s community newsletter magazine will land in roughly 60,000 Santa Monica mailboxes at the end of March. The Spring 2026 edition focuses on “Realignment in Action” — featuring a visual scorecard of early results, stories on public safety, SaMoBridge, mobility improvements, library reopenings, the Pier Bridge project, housing, and the new Ambulance Operator Program. A second edition is planned for October. |
| Voting Now Open “Most Loved” Businesses: The annual “Most Loved Business” competition is back. Vote for all your favorites here through March 13: smdp.com/vote |
