| OPA April Monthly Meeting Recap: Here is the full meeting recording and here are some highlights: |
| Click here to watch Mayor Caroline Torosis’ talk that included a discussion of the Entertainment Zone expansion and these major events:September Goldenvoice Beach Concert: The event is planned to take place just to the south of the pier on the beach and is target 35,000 attendees per day for 2 days and featuring a wide range of artists; The City is targeting making it a “no car, no parking festival” with parking centered at the airport with shuttles between parking and venue; Priority for tickets will be given to locals and people staying at SaMo hotels.Super Bowl: Working on a deal with ESPN/Disney for a major activation event.Olympics: Club France has announced Annenberg will be their hospitality house and the City is in talks with multiple other countries to use SaMo as their base.Click here for the talk from SMPD about all things SaMo law enforcement and including an interesting walk through of the SMPD Crime Dashboard that we all have access to.Here is the SMPD Crime Dashboard.SMPD Blue Notebook Review: Here is the weekly video recap of police activity. |
| OPA Volunteer Opportunity – Fire Service Day is Saturday May 9 from 10am – 1pm at Fire Station 1 (1337 7th St.): OPA will have a table at this event and it is a great opportunity to represent OPA and meet and greet community members. No previous volunteer experience is needed…it’s really just a great way to lean in on community engagement. Reply to this email to volunteer. |
| New Downtown Parking Rates and Validation Programs Went Into Effect This Week at City Lots: This repost of City Manager Oliver Chi’s explanation of the rates details that the “Updated Cost Means $1 Hour for First 90 Minutes.” Here are other key notes: |
| New parking rates are in effect at all downtown parking structures (PS 1–9 and the Ken Edwards Center), along with two new pilot validation programs for fitness / wellness businesses and schools.The new rates represent a meaningful recalibration from the structure that took effect in January, when a citywide rate overhaul reduced the initial free parking period in downtown structures from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. After hearing community and business feedback, the City Council acted in March to extend the initial discounted window back to 90 minutes at just $1, a change designed to keep downtown accessible and encourage visitors to stay, shop, and dine.Rates increase at the 3-hour and 5-hour marks, with slight differences between weekday and weekend pricing. |
| 123 Ocean Park Blvd. ARB Meeting Monday: The ARB will review of the design, colors, materials, and landscape plans for a two-story and roof deck addition to a single-unit residence designated a Structure of Merit in the Low-Density Housing and Beach Overlay (R2-BCH) Zoning District. The proposal also includes rehabilitation of an attached Multi-family Dwelling Unit located in the rear. Monday, April 20, 2026 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Agenda Item: 6C More details here. |
| Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on Vacant Property Task Force updates, Urban Forestry tree pruning efforts, new downtown parking rates, new major Santa Monica Place tenants, and much more. |
| NBC4 Video Report on “Crudo e Nudo celebrates 5 years of sustainable seafood in Santa Monica”: This video report “visits Crudo e Nudo to meet chef-owner Brian Bornemann and learn how the restaurant highlights responsible seafood practices. Plus, get an exclusive preview of the restaurant’s week-long anniversary celebration featuring collaborations with top chefs and winemakers from across California.” |
| LA Business Journal Highlights Santa Monica: This article, entitled “Santa Monica Bets Big” details how “The city of Santa Monica sets out on its most ambitious plan to boost an economic recovery.” |
| Eight-Story Housing Project Headed to Virtual Community Review TONIGHT/THURSDAY: This article details “a significantly expanded vision for 1318 Lincoln Boulevard, replacing the previously approved five-story plan with a new eight-story residential development, according to a new website. The New York-based firm, which acquired the site from WS Communities roughly five years ago, is now proposing a 110-unit market-rate complex on the property currently used as a parking lot.” A community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, at 6:00 p.m., where representatives will present the Lincoln Boulevard project, followed by a separate proposal for 1325 6th Street at 7:00 p.m. |
| Stand Up for Democracy Comedy Fundraising Show: OPA Board Member Tony Dimond is helping put on an unforgettable night of stand-up comedy packed with big laughs and even bigger impact. Every donation supports Field Team 6 — a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization registering Democratic voters in battleground states and flippable districts where it matters most. And every dollar turns into another Democratic vote. So you’re making a huge difference. Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm, Unurban Café, 3301 Pico Blvd. secure.actblue.com/donate/ft6i-standupfordemocracy |
| The City of Santa Monica is hosting an Extreme Heat & Resilience Community Workshop (Tuesday, April 21): It’s a great chance to learn, share ideas, and connect with fellow community members who care about making Santa Monica cool and safe. The Office of Sustainability and the Environment will be using your input to inform a future Extreme Heat & Resilience Action Plan. Watch presentations from city staff, join round-table discussions, eat complimentary food, participate in engagement activities, and compete in a raffle for heat-related prizes. The workshop is free and dinner will be provided, but all attendees should register at this link. |
