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Agenda - City of Santa Monica

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priorities on May 22, 2012, at which time the project budget was adjusted from<br />

redevelopment to general fund sources. In compliance with California Environmental<br />

Quality Act (CEQA) requirements, the proposed Colorado Esplanade project was<br />

evaluated through a Mitigated Negative Declaration that was adopted by Council on<br />

March 19, 2013. The traffic analysis for the MND found that vehicle circulation would<br />

improve over current conditions as the one-way reconfiguration reduces turning<br />

movements at the intersections.<br />

The project is moving forward with a schedule and design that is coordinated with the<br />

Expo Station, Olympic Drive extension, and California Incline. In addition to working with<br />

the Expo Construction Authority and t he light rail design-build contractor on t he<br />

Downtown station plaza to meet the <strong>City</strong>’s urban integration criteria and Metro<br />

Operations requirements, the design team has also coordinated with Big Blue Bus and<br />

Metro on bus rerouting options in and around the Esplanade and station.<br />

Discussion<br />

The transformation <strong>of</strong> Colorado Avenue from a vehicular corridor to a multi-modal hub is<br />

the starting point for the design <strong>of</strong> the proposed Colorado Esplanade and Downtown<br />

Station Plaza. The designer was directed to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> a growing number <strong>of</strong><br />

pedestrians and bicyclists, to provide a s afe venue for multiple travel modes that<br />

connects them to the Downtown, Oceanfront and Civic Center, while maintaining an<br />

optimal flow for vehicular traffic - all in time to be ready for the opening <strong>of</strong> the station.<br />

Throughout the outreach process members <strong>of</strong> the community supported the project for<br />

its role in preparing the <strong>City</strong>’s infrastructure for the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Light Rail, while<br />

implementing the community vision to serve pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders and<br />

drivers and to create meaningful places for people in public rights <strong>of</strong> way. Community<br />

comments prioritized achieving both the circulation benefits, and creating an i conic<br />

gateway. Comments provided during the wide-ranging outreach process are captured<br />

in these overarching themes:<br />

5

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