Agenda - City of Santa Monica

City Council Report
To:
From:
Mayor and City Council
City Council Meeting: May 14, 2013
Agenda Item: 8-A
David Martin, Director of Planning and Community Development
Subject: Colorado Esplanade Final Design and CCSP Amendment
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve the final design for the full Colorado Esplanade as proposed, direct staff
to prepare a bid package, and solicit bids for the reduced footprint core project;
2. Amend the CCSP to eliminate the 2 nd Street Bridge Extension as a pu blic
improvement, and replace with the planned Main to 2 nd Street alignment
proposed by the Colorado Esplanade project.
Executive Summary
This report recommends approval of the final design for the Colorado Esplanade, a
circulation infrastructure and streetscape project located between the future terminus of
the regional Expo light rail line, the Downtown, and one of the City’s most prominent
landmarks, the Santa Monica Pier. Due to funding limitations, this report recommends a
first phase of construction for a core project with a slightly reduced footprint from the
project presented at the February 14, 2012 Council meeting. Additional funding is being
sought to construct the full project in subsequent phases. Also recommended in this
report is a minor amendment of the Civic Center Specific Plan (CCSP) to achieve the
CCSP vision for connecting the Civic Center and Downtown Districts by replacing the
2 nd Street Bridge concept with the proposed Esplanade alignment of Main and 2 nd
Streets.
With the arrival of the Exposition Light Rail in 2016, the Esplanade project would resolve
the complex circulation needs adjacent to the new Expo Light Rail station at 4 th
Street/Colorado Avenue, including provision of additional space to safely accommodate
anticipated pedestrian surges. The project would address the community vision for an
integrated light rail system, easily accessed from key destinations and by multiple travel
modes. The final design of the Colorado Esplanade by Peter Walker Partners (PWP)
organizes arrival/departure for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and bus and transit
patrons, while creating a C ity gateway that integrates the beach, Civic Center and
Downtown.
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