March OPA Monthly Meeting This Monday (March 9): The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. Here's the zoom link, and here's the schedule:
6:00 - 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling
6:30 - 7:30: Guest Speakers:
SaMo Police Department
SaMo Fire Department
Juan Matute Deputy Director at UCLA’s Institute of Transportation Studies
Others TBD: Maybe a councilmember and/or state senate candidate
7:30 - 8:30: Board business, including 2026 priorities, upcoming calendar of events, & more)
Bowlmor Construction Updates: We spoke with a representative for the project at Pico & 3rd St. last week, and here are some key updates:
Foundations for the project are now complete and the ramp has been removed, so hauling is done.
Offsite work for the foreseeable future is compete and there shouldn’t be any digging in the street from us.
Elevated Concrete Decks – these are any decks above the very bottom of the excavation (parking garage levels) and includes the concrete decks all the way up to Level 2 (1 level above the sidewalk). These will be ongoing with average of 1 pour per week for a couple months (could be a week or two with 2 pours if progress allows, which would shorten the overall duration of this work ultimately.) There will be a total of 17 concrete pours (4 pours at P2 Level, 4 pours at P1 Level, 6 pours at Level 1, 3 pours at Level 2).
Closures will be the same as they have been on previous concrete days.
Wood framing is tentatively scheduled to begin at Level 1 (same level as existing sidewalk) the 1st week of June 2026.
We hope to be wrapping up work in Q4 2027, with final city sign off in January 2028.
Santa Monica Council Unanimously Approves Sweeping Zoning Overhaul to Boost Business: The City Council has approved a comprehensive package of zoning amendments designed to streamline permitting for businesses and try to encourage new investment. The ordinance downgrades permit requirements for many business types, streamlines alcohol regulations and permanently adopts temporary economic recovery rules that officials say have successfully attracted new enterprises to the downtown area. This article includes a picture of the work being done on the old Areal/World Cafe space.
Santa Monica rents plunge 7.5% as coastal market cools faster than nation: Rental prices in Santa Monica fell sharply in March, dropping 2.3% in a single month as the city recorded the steepest annual rent decline in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The median rent in the city now stands at $2,318, according to the latest Apartment List data. One-bedroom units have a median rent of $2,194, while two-bedroom apartments average $2,630. More details here.
Santa Monica PD Focuses on the Dangers of Distracted Driving: During the month of March, the Santa Monica Police Department will conduct an enforcement operations focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law. More details here.
Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter, with Public Safety stats, Fire Department Update, Economic Development updates, and more.
Eviction Filing Targets Edgemar Restaurant Tenant Over Alleged Unpaid Rent: This article details that "The landlord, Sequoia Shores, LLC, filed an unlawful detainer case in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking possession of the restaurant premises at 2435 Main St. in Santa Monica. In the complaint, the landlord identifies the tenant as Edgemar Hospitality, LLC and alleges the company failed to pay rent owed under a commercial lease." This SMDP article details The Edgemar’s effort to fight the eviction.
The Street Seen: 2614 4th St (Taylor) (@ Ocean Park Blvd): A 10-room, 2-story Craftsman-style house is constructed on the west side of 4th St near Ocean Park Blvd in 1910. The original owner doesn’t get to live here. The house is recently refurbished. More details here.
Message from OPA Business Member Aqua Surf: Local Ocean Park based surf camp Aqua Surf is offering 20% off Summer Surf Camps with code STOKE20 during their annual Early Bird Sale (ends March 16). Programs run at Tower 28 in Ocean Park for kids and teens (ages 5–17). They are also hosting Spring Break Surf Camp the weeks of March 30–April 3 and April 6–10.
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Things to Do This Week
Santa Monica College Planetarium Offers Spring Sky Shows in March: Enjoy live-hosted shows on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout March, featuring programs on spring skies, the spring equinox, and the life cycle of stars. Each show runs approximately 40 minutes and is followed by a Q&A with Planetarium Lecturer Sarah Vincent. Friday evening shows begin at 6 p.m. with "The Night Sky Show," followed by a Feature Program at 7 p.m. Sunday Family Matinée shows begin at 1 p.m. with "The Night Sky Show," followed by a Feature Program at 2 p.m. Here is the schedule.
Santa Monica Democratic Club to Honor Regional Leaders at 2026 Sammy Awards: The Awards serve not only as a celebration of leadership, but also as a major annual fundraiser supporting the Club’s organizing, voter engagement, and endorsement efforts in 2026 and beyond. One of the four honorees is OP resident and Former Mayor Gleam Davis. More details here. https://santamonicanext.org/2026/03/santa-monica-democratic-club-to-honor-regional-leaders-at-2026-sammy-awards/
OPA & City Meetings
Landmarks Commission Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details & agenda here.
City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Urban Forest Task Force Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details here.
Clean Beaches Committee Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details here.
Disabilities Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details & agenda here.
Library Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Rent Control Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are April 1 (The Housemaid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 9, 6p.m. @ Ocean Park Library
Pi Day (3/14) Pie Baking 101: 🥧 Back by popular demand, join Lissa and Tess for Pi(e) Day! We are planning to make apple pies with pie pastry using this ridiculously easy recipe from the 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (flaky! inexpensive! takes 10 minutes start to finish! no packaging waste! vegan! delicious!), so if you want to learn to make pie, come on over for Pie Baking 101. RSVP to [email protected]
Community Paint Party (3/22 @ 1pm): Gather on Second and Hill for Graffiti Removal, Mutual Support and Celebration! You are invited to paint a section of the wall to cover up the hateful language (if you wish) and Support each other and Celebrate this resilient community with food, music and good people! Come Celebrate Our Diversity Together!
Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at [email protected]. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
Santa Monica 311. Submit non-emergency requests to the City.
Santa Monica Alerts. Sign up for emergency text and email alerts.
SaMoNews. Subscribe to the official newsletter of the City of Santa Monica.
Board and Commission Openings. Volunteer to serve the community!
City of Santa Monica Career Opportunities. Get paid to serve the community!
Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Support our municipal Animal Shelter!
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
