Santa Monica Council Votes to Prioritize Open Space in Airport Redevelopment
The Santa Monica City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday in favor of a plan that will transform the 192-acre Santa Monica Airport site into a public park following its scheduled closure on December 31, 2028. The redevelopment plan places a strong emphasis on open space and recreational facilities, rather than housing development.
According to local news outlet Yo Venice, the council directed staff to further study “Scenario 1” — a proposal focused on ecological restoration, the adaptive reuse of existing structures, and strict adherence to Measure LC. This voter-approved charter amendment, passed in 2014, mandates public approval for any non-park related uses on the former airport grounds. The vision includes new public open spaces, recreational amenities, and the continued use of the site for cultural arts and educational purposes.
Councilmember Jesse Zwick cast the lone opposing vote. While supportive of repurposing current buildings, Zwick raised concerns about the narrow focus of the plan. “We’re not planning to tear down buildings; we’re talking about adaptive reuses of existing structures, so let’s study what a mix of uses, including housing, would look like on sites that have structures,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Discover Los Angeles.
