Main St. Starbucks Closing: Starbucks closed the store on Main Street this past weekend as part of a plan to “shutter about 250 underperforming coffeehouses across North America” according to a company statement. According to some analysts, this is more of a game of financial accounting than an issue with these stores. By closing smaller locations that generate less per-store revenue (regardless of per-store profitability), they can boost overall per-store top-line revenue for Wall Street reporting purposes. More details here.

Flyers re Developing the Main St parking Lots: Politically motivated flyers about the possibility of developing the Main St parking lots have been distributed in the neighborhood. As a 501(c)(3), OPA does not take positions or endorse candidates, so we have added this complex topic to our November meeting, post-election. In short, no projects have been formally proposed for the Main St parking lots. The board has discussed this topic several times, it was last on our agenda 4/14/25, and nothing has changed since then with the City.

Longtime Santa Monica addiction treatment center plans $50M Ocean Park adjascent campus redevelopment: Under proposals for the CLARE|MATRIX Pico Campus at 901 W. Pico Blvd., developers would clear three aging structures to construct a four-story, 26,000-square-foot building with 90 beds. More details here.

Two-Month Closure of Moomat Ahiko Way On- and Off-Ramps: Beginning today (Monday, Sept. 28), crews are expected to perform a two-month closure of the Moomat Ahkio Way on- and off-ramps. This closures is necessary for crews to perform demolition activities of the final portion of the old Pier bridge followed by foundation drilling, shoring, falsework and bridge column construction. Crews will use the closed ramps to ensure motorists safety and to stage necessary equipment to perform these activities. Detour signage will be posted directing traffic to and from Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue. Motorists traveling southbound on PCH will be directed to continue on eastbound I-10 to Lincoln Boulevard. Motorists wanting to access PCH from Ocean Avenue should continue northbound to the California Incline.

Santa Monica Pier sign to be temporarily removed for restoration project: Santa Monica city workers will temporarily dismantle the historic Santa Monica Pier sign in fall 2026 for extensive restoration during a major Pier Bridge reconstruction project. The restored original sign is scheduled to return to its overhead position atop the repaired bridge when construction wraps up in late 2027. More details here.

Santa Monica backs plan to pipe purified wastewater into tap water as self-sufficiency goal slips: The Santa Monica City Council unanimously endorsed a water strategy last week built on stepped-up conservation and, within a decade, purified wastewater piped directly into the city's drinking supply, and cleared staff to open formal talks with Los Angeles and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on regional recycling. More details here.

Register to Vote by October 19: If you have moved recently or haven’t registered, the deadline to vote in the November 3 election is imminent. You can register online or check your voter status here. The L.A. County Registrar will begin sending Vote-by-Mail ballots to registered voters on October 5.

Upcoming SaMo Candidate Forums: The City of Santa Monica and the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica (LWVSM) have partnered to host two nights of candidate forums to help residents learn more about the candidates running for the following offices. Forums will take place at live and and some of them will also be watchable on YouTube. my.lwv.org/california/santa-monica

Five Ways to Prepare For a Potentially Historic El Niño (Video): Forecasters say this one has a high chance of becoming the strongest on record. This SaMo Mirror video report shows five ways to prepare.

The Street Seen: 2402 4th St (Hollister Court): The 13-unit Hollister Court extends from 3rd St to 4th St. Over 3 years in the early 1910s, a collection of eight Craftsman-style cottages is built on the east end of the property. In 1922, three cottages are added on the west end. Hollister Court is unique among Ocean Park Courts in that the long central court/path extends from street to street. Hollister Court is designated a City Landmark in 1990. More details here.

$5,000 Microgrant for 20 Brick and Mortar Small Businesses – DUE Thursday 10/1: The City of Santa Monica is offering Microgrant of $5,000 for existing brick-and-mortar businesses (20 businesses total). Applications will be accepted from September 10 through October 1, 2026. This grant helps small business owners with business investments such as technology upgrades, marketing and advertising services, professional services related to business growth and so much more. More details here.

Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on news in and around the city over the past week, upcoming calendar of events, and much more.