Agenda packet — Santa Monica City Council, July 8, 2025 (part 5 of 8)

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1407 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 19 Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Tammy Jackson
Retired Air Traffic controller

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1408 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 20 David Yakobson
From: Charlene Nakamura <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7.A. SMAC Project - July 8, 2025
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council members,
We need to find ways to fund the conversion of the airport to a park. Insisting the site be a park with no consideration of how to fund and maintain this is not practical.

I also support revenue generating areas and incorporating low-rise (garden-style) housing. We need more housing! Anything other than a park will require residents to vote, which I think is a good thing Thank you,
Charlene Nakamura
Ocean Park
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1409 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 21 David Yakobson
From: Alexander Alexandrov <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a member of the community and a long-time admirer of Santa Monica’s historic role in American aerospace, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for Santa Monica Airport.

This is not about preserving the status quo. It’s about leading the next chapter of clean, quiet, community-minded aviation. Electric aircraft, advanced simulators, flight schools, STEM education hubs, and green infrastructure can all co-exist alongside open space—and even a modest amount of thoughtfully integrated housing.

Here’s what evolution could mean:

A VITAL HUB IN FIRE RESCUE OPERATIONS Serving our community A world-class STEM education and training center, where Santa Monica students are inspired to pursue science, technology, and flight
A hub for electric and autonomous aviation, already being tested at SMO and poised to reduce traffic congestion and emissions
Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure.

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies
Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Alex Alexandrov
SM Resident and UAS pilot.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1410 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 22 David Yakobson
From: Eric Buehl <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Begin forwarded message:

From: Eric Buehl <[email protected]>
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport Date: July 7, 2025 at 4:51:50 PM PDT
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Cc: Melissa Grant <[email protected]>
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a resident who deeply values both the history and future of Santa Monica, I urge you to choose evolution—not elimination—for Santa Monica Airport (SMO).

As a resident who also places great value on excellent infrastructure, I know that SMO is not just a piece of infrastructure; it’s a living part of our neighborhood’s character and a critical asset in times of emergency. General aviation airports across the country are in decline, yet their importance in disaster response, fire rescue, and emergency logistics cannot be overstated. Once they are gone, they are gone for good—and our region will be less resilient for it.

Beyond utility, SMO is a unique and defining feature of this community. It adds identity and depth. We should recognize that the airport long predates many of the homes surrounding it. In fact, it was the airport that initially brought jobs, investment, and ultimately, residents to the Sunset Park area. Complaints about airport noise often come from those who moved here fully aware of its presence. The airport didn’t come to them—they came to the airport.

This is a chance to build something visionary, not just nostalgic. With careful planning, SMO can be transformed into a model of clean, quiet, community-integrated aviation.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1411 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 23 Picture a revitalized space that:
• Serves as a vital hub for emergency response and fire rescue • Trains and inspires local youth through STEM education, flight schools, and advanced simulators
• Hosts electric and autonomous aircraft that ease traffic and reduce carbon emissions • Offers green space for residents without erasing the aviation legacy • Sustains long-term economic activity and innovation in a fiscally challenged city • Maintains local control and adaptability beyond 2028, ensuring alignment with Santa Monica values
We don’t have to choose between a park and an airport. We can create a 21st-century civic resource that honors our past, serves our present, and prepares us for the future.

Finally, I urge the Council to consider this: if the airport is closed without a clear, wellfunded, and broadly supported redevelopment plan beforehand, we are almost certainly guaranteeing a hundred-acre dead zone in the heart of our city. The process of environmental remediation, litigation, community disagreement, and infrastructure planning will take years—likely far longer than anticipated. In that time, the land will sit fenced, decaying, and unused. Whatever complaints some may have about the airport today will pale in comparison to the frustration and blight of an abandoned, inaccessible space in the years that follow.

Please don’t erase this rare and valuable asset. Let’s shape it—thoughtfully, ambitiously, and with vision.

Eric Buehl
1515 Hill St
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1412 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 24 David Yakobson
From: Brent Myers <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:30 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: Save SMO. Airports can be a life saver
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Please.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1413 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 25 David Yakobson
From: Jeff Bassett <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:31 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

Here’s what evolution could mean:

A VITAL HUB IN FIRE RESCUE OPERATIONS Serving our community A world-class STEM education and training center, where Santa Monica students are inspired to pursue science, technology, and flight
A hub for electric and autonomous aviation, already being tested at SMO and poised to reduce traƯic congestion and emissions
Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure.

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1414 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 26 Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
JeƯrey T Bassett
Pilot/Aircraft owner
[email protected]
Cell 240 - 388-7148
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1415 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 27 David Yakobson
From: FRIGOLA PEDRO <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:32 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: Urgent: Concerns Regarding Potential Closure of Santa Monica Airport in 2028 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear City Leaders,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the potential closure of Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in 2028. Such a decision would have far-reaching negative consequences for the city—economically, environmentally, and in terms of public safety.

Santa Monica Airport plays a vital role in regional emergency response, relieves congestion from surrounding airspace, and supports numerous local jobs and businesses. Eliminating this critical infrastructure without a viable and realistic alternative would not only diminish our city's resilience but also remove an economic and logistical asset that benefits more than just aviation users.

The broader implications of closure must be considered with full transparency, supported by data, and inclusive of all community stakeholders—especially those who rely on the airport for livelihood, safety, and access.

I urge you to explore all alternatives before making a decision that could permanently alter the fabric of our city.

Sincerely,
Pedro Frigola
310-849-1594
1717 Stewart Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1416 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 28 David Yakobson
From: Bryan Neville <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:36 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

Here’s what evolution could mean:

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1417 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 29 Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Warm Regards,
Bryan Neville
DJ | MC
bryanneville.com
567-228-9529
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1418 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 30 David Yakobson
From: Timberly Matonic <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:38 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a long-time admirer of Santa Monica’s historic role in American aerospace, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for Santa Monica Airport.

Here’s what evolution could mean:

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1419 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 31 Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21stcentury innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Timberly Matonic
Aspiring Pilot, Friend of the Ninety-Nines, Supporter of the Santa Monica Airport To help
protect your
privacy,
Micro so ft
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download of
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Internet.

History was made March 8, 2025 when the first-ever coast-to-coast flight by an all-electric aircraft was completed with the Beta CX300 touching down at Santa Monica Airport.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1420 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 32 David Yakobson
From: Tara Barauskas <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7-support for affordable housing at the SM Airport Attachments: 2102_001.pdf
Importance: High
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Please see attached correspondence regarding tonight’s Council meeting.

Tara

Tara Barauskas, LEED AP
Executive Director
Community Corporation of Santa Monica
1410 2nd Street, Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-8487 ext. 133
[email protected]
www.communitycorp.org
I acknowledge with respect and gratitude the Tongva, Kizh, and Chumash Peoples on whose traditional territory I live and work.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1421 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1422 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 33 David Yakobson
From: Philippe Debaty <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:41 PM
Cc: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a member of the aviation community and a long-time admirer of Santa Monica’s historic role in American aerospace, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for Santa Monica Airport.

This is not about preserving the status quo. It’s about leading the next chapter of clean, quiet, communityminded aviation. Electric aircraft, advanced simulators, flight schools, STEM education hubs, and green infrastructure can all co-exist alongside open space—and even a modest amount of thoughtfully integrated housing.

Here’s what evolution could mean:
 A world-class STEM education and training center, where Santa Monica students are inspired to pursue science, technology, and flight
 A hub for electric and autonomous aviation, already being tested at SMO and poised to reduce traffic congestion and emissions
 Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure  Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds  Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus— one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Philippe Debaty
Private Pilot at Santa Monica Flyers
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1423 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 34 David Yakobson
From: Gianni Cabiglio <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:42 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong support for keeping the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) open. As someone who has worked at SMO for the past eleven years, I have firsthand experience of the vital role the airport plays in our community, providing economic, educational, and emergency services that benefit all residents of Santa Monica and the surrounding areas.

The Santa Monica Airport has been an integral part of our city’s infrastructure for decades, serving not only as a hub for general aviation but also as a key player in supporting local businesses and tourism. The airport contributes significantly to the local economy by providing jobs, attracting visitors, and fostering business development. Personally, my livelihood and that of many others depend on the continued operation of SMO.

Moreover, SMO is a valuable resource for emergency services. The airport’s availability for air ambulance flights and disaster relief operations is indispensable, ensuring that our community is better prepared for unforeseen events. The airport also supports medical transport and organ donation flights, which are critical for saving lives. Seen firsthand just six months ago with the LA wildfires...

Additionally, the airport offers educational opportunities through various programs and partnerships that inspire the next generation of aviators and aerospace professionals. Given the current pilot shortage in the aviation industry, the training and education provided by flight schools at SMO are more crucial than ever. The presence of flight schools, aviation museums, and community events at SMO enriches the educational landscape of our city.

The historic significance of Santa Monica Airport cannot be overstated. It has a rich heritage, having played an important role in the development of aviation and the city of Santa Monica, serving as a base for many historic flights and figures in aviation history. Preserving this site honors our past and maintains a tangible connection to our city’s contribution to the field of aviation.

I understand that there are concerns regarding noise and environmental impacts. I believe that these issues can be addressed through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions that balance the needs of the community with the benefits of maintaining the airport. Implementing stricter noise abatement procedures, enhancing environmental sustainability practices, and engaging in open dialogue with residents are just a few ways we can work together to find common ground.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1424 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 35 However, closing the airport could lead to changes in flight paths for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), potentially increasing noise pollution in other residential areas. The noise from LAX could be far worse than what is currently heard from SMO. Additionally, the current height restrictions on buildings in the vicinity of SMO help to maintain the character and aesthetic of our community; lifting these restrictions could lead to overdevelopment that would alter our city's landscape and make congestion worse.

I think there is potential for a creative compromise that keeps the airport open while converting some of its space to a park or mixed-use public area. The south side near the Barker Hangar offers plenty of open space that could be transformed into recreational areas, community spaces, and other amenities that benefit the public. This approach would provide the community with valuable green space and recreational facilities without sacrificing the benefits the airport provides.

Closing the Santa Monica Airport would not only deprive our city of its historical and cultural significance but also hinder the many advantages it provides. I urge you to consider the broader impact on our community and the potential loss of a valuable asset.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I appreciate your consideration and hope that you will support keeping the Santa Monica Airport open for the benefit of all.

Sincerely,
Gianni Cabiglio
714.642.8098
Continued:

As a member of the community and a long-time admirer of Santa Monica’s historic role in American aerospace, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for Santa Monica Airport.

Here’s what evolution could mean:

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1425 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 36 Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure.

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Best,
Gianni Cabiglio
714.642.8098
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1426 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 37 David Yakobson
From: Jane M <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Agenda item 7-A: Airport Conversion - LC-compliant Great Park Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

I urge you to move forward with the creation of a Measure LC-compliant Great Park, with a sensible financing plan that prioritizes existing on-site revenue sources, and with no sale or other privatization of the land.

As our park-poor city densifies, it is important that we plan for the creation of sufficient open space and recreational spaces that can restore habitat and meet the needs of both current and future generations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Jane Marcin
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1427 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 38 David Yakobson
From: LP <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:42 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

I personally would love to see airport continue. it's inspiring and exciting. I love walking through Clover Park and seeing the planes take off.it's one of the most beautiful things to see in my neighborhood.

Here’s what evolution could mean:

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1428 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 39 Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21stcentury innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Lauren Pardin
South Santa Monica resident/fan of the airport)
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1429 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 40 David Yakobson
From: Leo Marcus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:48 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Leo Marcus; rachel marcus
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
We are writing about the upcoming discussion on the fate of the Santa Monica Airport.

Some personal background: we have been residents of Sunset Park since 1980, living about 100 feet north of the runway, and are very comfortable living near the airport.

We also like the idea of using some of the land for a park. We have read the position of the Santa Monica Airport Association and find their arguments interesting, and potentially very beneficial to our city and the environment in general. We urge the Council to consider them seriously in your deliberations.

Leo and Rachel Marcus
2423 Pier Ave.

Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1430 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 41 David Yakobson
From: Susan Dost <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:48 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: Don't erase KSMO
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a member of the community and a long-time pilot of Santa Monica’s airport, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for Santa Monica Airport.

Santa Monica was once the center of the aviation world—where Donald Douglas built the DC-3 and helped win a world war. That same pioneering spirit can thrive again if we seize this opportunity not to close SMO, but to reimagine it for the future. I learned to fly at Proteus and continue my education as a pilot and I cannot imagine my privileges being taken away.

Here’s what evolution could mean:

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1431 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 42 Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Susan Dost
Pilot
310.993.0265
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1432 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 43 David Yakobson
From: Lynn Bowers <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7A
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica has no dedicated Pickleball courts. Here is an opportunity to construct 24, dedicated Pickleball courts for Santa Monica at the airport site.

Thank you…Lynn Bowers, 26 year resident in 90405 Sent from my iPhone Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.i
Packet Pg. 1433 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 44 David Yakobson
From: Ethel Treister <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:49 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

Although I have never resided in Santa Monica, I have flown out of there for years. Someone must have been paying serious money over the decades to have arrived at this place yet again. The airport is an asset to the entire region and can be preserved while providing for recreation. It’s hard to understand why this dispute must pop up every few years initiated by the City Council. The airport was there before most residents were born. Airports are noisy during runup, takeoƯs and landings which are intermittent and banned at night. If someone purchases property near an airport, they have zero right to complain about noise. If they wish silence, there are quieter neighborhoods which, of course, are not so conveniently situated. A person must weigh the priorities.

Sincerely,
Ethel Treister
Pilot
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1434 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 45 David Yakobson
From: The CLF <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:45 PM
Subject: *Item 7.A – Santa Monica Airport Conversion (SMAC) Project, July 8 Attachments: City of Santa Monica LOI from the Children's Lifesaving-for Airport Conversion Project -2025.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers -

The Great Park Coalition is a non-partisan, grassroots organization composed of organizations and individuals committed to bringing back the Great Park that once existed on the grounds of the Santa Monica Airport in accordance with Measure LC. The Great Park Coalition is comprised of 64 nonprofit organizations representing more than 20,000 organizational members, 900 individual supporters, and 13 former Mayors and City Councilmembers.

Great Park Coalition organizations represent K-12 and outdoors education, the visual and performing arts, broadcasting and filmmaking, museums, the Gabrielino-Tongva community, the Ecomism Ethiopian community, climate and sustainability solutions, environmental advocacy, water quality monitoring, community gardens and regenerative farming, neighborhood and cultural affinity groups, healing through the arts & nature, airport closure advocacy, and recreational soccer, rugby, lacrosse, baseball, softball, pickleball, paddle tennis, pétanque, ping pong, cycling, aquatics, native dance, and basketball.

Over the past year, Great Park Coalition members formed working groups in the areas of regenerative sustainability, rectangular field sports, arts and culture, community gardens, creative play, aquatics, park financing, and a youth alliance, producing policy white papers and Letters of Interest (LOI’s) for amenities within the Great Park.

All of these GPC supporters and member organizations are very, very excited to help the City of Santa Monica realize this Great Park! (We have also enclosed our submitted LOI from the Children's Lifesaving Foundation! We are thrilled and honored to be a part of this burgeoning initiative.)

Accordingly, on behalf of our wide-ranging coalition, the Great Park Coalition urges Council to move forward, for the benefit of all, the creation of a 192-acre, inspirational LC-compliant Great Park, with a sensible financing plan that prioritizes existing on-site revenue sources, that will not trigger a ballot measure before airport closure, and with no sale or other privatization of the land.

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Packet Pg. 1435 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 46 As our extremely park-poor City densifies, it is paramount to plan for the creation of sufficient open, recreational, and regenerative spaces that can restore habitat and meet the needs of both current and future generations.

Adding 192 acres of park uses and open space will still leave our City only "moderately-parked" at our current population, i.e., at only about 3.6 acres of park space per 1,000 residents, up from the current 1.4 acres per 1,000 residents. State and national metrics mandate a minimum of 5 acres of open and park space per 1,000 residents.

Let's address this deficit and build a Great Park that will serve our community now and for many, many future generations.

Thank you all so much!

Our very best wishes,
Francesca McCaffery
Executive Director
(310)-508-1651-cell
The Children's Lifesaving Foundation
(424)-645-7661-Main
Follow CLF on:

Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

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Packet Pg. 1436 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) April 20th, 2025
Ms. Amber Richane -Principal Design and Planning Manager & The SMACP Planning Committee, and Santa Monica City Council ℅: The City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Ms. Richane,
and the esteemed Santa Monica Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem,
and Santa Monica City Councilmembers and SMACP Planning Committee Members:

We are so honored to be presenting this LOI to you today from the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation, in regards to an exciting, proposed use for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project.

The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation (CLF) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved, BIPOC youth and houseless families living in shelters and transitional housing in Los Angeles through a unique approach of providing outdoor education through enriching, free summer and surf camps, inspiring holiday events and educational assistance, mentoring and scholarships for youth through to college-age. We also provided crucial Emergency Funding and aid during the COVID-19 Crisis to the families in our Vita Network, and currently to houseless families forced to evacuate during the 2025 Hurst and Eaton fires. Over 95,000 underserved, primarily BIPOC and Latinx youth and families have been served since 1993.

The CLF are also members of the Great Park Coalition, and members of local profits from the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club, Cady Children’s Museum and ReDiscover Center and others, under the guidance and encouragement of Joe Pertel of the Great Park Coalition, have formed a “Creative Play Working Group,” to address the arising community needs, share resources, concepts and ideas for this “Great Park” vision, and, hopefully- collaborate together on this wonderful, emerging project.

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Packet Pg. 1437 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Thank you so much for your consideration,and we truly looking forward to getting to meet you all soon!…Here is our LOI, below:

Airport Conversion Project - Letter of Interest from
the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation

1. Introduction to the Organization and Proposed Public-Private Partnership The Children's Lifesaving Foundation (CLF) is a Santa Monica-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved youth and families through educational, recreational, and community enrichment programs. With over 32 years of service, CLF has established a strong presence in the community, offering free outdoor educational wilderness and surf camps, after-school programs, one-on-one tutoring and college scholarships, family support services, and youth mentorship initiatives.

In alignment with the City of Santa Monica's vision to convert the Santa Monica Airport into a "Great Park," the CLF proposes a Public-Private Partnership to adaptively reuse approximately 5,000 square feet of an existing airport hangar. This space will serve as a multifaceted facility encompassing:
● Office Space: Administrative headquarters for CLF operations. ● Family Community Center: A hub for family support services, workshops, and community gatherings.
● Youth Learning Center: Educational spaces for after-school programs, tutoring, and vocational training.

While CLF will lead this initiative, we look forward to collaborating with other local nonprofits and community organizations to maximize the facility's impact and reach.

This space will be an incredible hub of community presence and interaction, and will also be available to lease to other community organizations, local clubs (such as the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club, as a perfect example) and community organizations, for workshops and other initiatives in the evenings and weekends. 1 Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1438 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

2. Project Description and Space Utilization
The proposed project involves the renovation of a 5,000-square-foot section within one of the existing airport hangars. The adaptive reuse approach aligns with the city's emphasis on sustainability and preservation of historical structures . The facility will be designed to be flexible, accommodating various programs and events that cater to the diverse needs of the community.

Key features include:
● Multipurpose Rooms: For workshops, classes, and community meetings. ● Resource Center: Providing access to educational materials and technology. ● Outdoor Integration: Seamless connection with the surrounding park areas for outdoor activities and events, and a modified version of our Wilderness “Camp for All” Program, integrating native plant and wildlife education with classic camp activities.

3. Community Benefits and Sustainability Initiatives
The transformation of the hangar into a community and learning center offers numerous benefits:
● Educational Advancement: Providing youth with access to quality educational resources and programs.
● Community Engagement: Serving as a gathering place for families and community members to connect and collaborate.
● Economic Opportunities: Creating jobs and volunteer opportunities within the facility.

Sustainability is a core component of the project, with plans to incorporate:
● Energy Efficiency: Utilizing solar panels and energy-efficient systems to minimize environmental impact.
● Green Building Materials: Employing sustainable and locally sourced materials in construction.
● Water Conservation: Implementing water-saving fixtures and landscaping with native plants.

These initiatives support the city's guiding principles of starting with nature, inspiring wonder, and amplifying versatility .
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Packet Pg. 1439 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

4. Financial Plan Summary
Estimated, Projected Costs:
● Renovation and Construction: $225,000
● Operational Expenses (Annual): $975,000
Revenue Generation Strategies:
● Program Grants: Securing funding from educational and community development grants.
● Donations and Fundraising: Engaging donors and organizing fundraising events.
● Facility Rentals: Offering space for community events and workshops on the evenings and on weekends.

Potential Funding Sources:
● Local and State Grants: Exploring opportunities through California's community development programs, and agencies such as the California Natural Resources Agency.
● Private Foundations: Applying for grants from foundations supporting education and community initiatives. We have two family foundations who are potentially very interested in the possibility of considerably funding a sustainable, partial renovation of one of the existing airport hangars. We have a host of current funders who will be significantly intrigued by this funding opportunity, including possible grants from private foundations such as the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation.
● Corporate Partnerships: Collaborating with local businesses for sponsorships and support, such as SNAP Inc and Capital One.

In 1993, the Children's Lifesaving Foundation undertook a significant capital project, by fully renovating the historic Circle X Ranch, a 1,655-acre property nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. This endeavor was made possible through a 10-year "sweat equity" lease agreement with the National Park Service, allowing CLF to transform the former Boy Scout camp into a vibrant outdoor education and recreation facility. The renovated ranch became the home of CLF's signature "Camp for All" program for over a decade, (free of cost for all participants and participating agencies) providing underserved youth from Los Angeles County with immersive nature-based experiences, mentorship, and educational enrichment. This project exemplifies CLF's capacity to collaborate effectively with public agencies, repurpose existing infrastructure, and deliver impactful community programs that resonate with both environmental stewardship and social equity.
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Packet Pg. 1440 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

5. Project Implementation Timeline
Assuming a start date of January 1, 2029, the proposed timeline is as follows:
● Q1 2029: Finalize design plans and obtain all necessary permits. ● Q2-Q3 2029: Commence and complete construction and renovations, in full agreement and accord with the City’s chosen design team Sasaki, using all sustainable materials.
● Q4 2029: Furnish and equip the facility; staff recruitment and training. ● Q1 2030: Launch of programs and official opening of the community and learning center.

6. Alignment with Community Engagement and City Council Direction This proposal directly supports the City of Santa Monica's commitment to transforming the airport site into a space that prioritizes public use, community engagement, and sustainability, as outlined in Measure LC and the city's guiding principles. By repurposing existing structures for educational and community purposes, the project preserves the site's historical significance while meeting contemporary community needs.

The CLF is committed to ongoing collaboration with the city, local organizations, and residents to ensure the facility remains fully responsive to the evolving needs of the Santa Monica community.
*Any additional information that demonstrates the feasibility and community benefits of the proposal in alignment with the community engagement and City Council direction to date.

Over the past 32 years, the Children's Lifesaving Foundation (CLF) has cultivated enduring partnerships with a diverse array of local, state, and city agencies, as well as numerous community organizations. Notable collaborations include engagements with the California Coastal Commission, the City of Malibu, King Gillette Ranch, RDCSMM (Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains) Homeboy Industries, the Venice and Metro Boys & Girls Clubs, Upward Bound, and many other nonprofit and community entities. These alliances have been instrumental in allowing the CLF to deliver truly impactful, enriching educational and recreational programs and services to underserved youth and families throughout Los Angeles County.

CLF's history of successful collaborations underscores our capacity to work synergistically with public agencies and community stakeholders. For instance, our partnership with the National Park Service facilitated the transformation of the Circle X Ranch into a vibrant outdoor education center, exemplifying our ability to repurpose existing structures for community benefit.
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Packet Pg. 1441 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) The proposed adaptive reuse of a 5,000-square-foot section of an existing airport hangar into a community and learning center aligns seamlessly with the City of Santa Monica's vision to convert the Santa Monica Airport into a "Great Park" that emphasizes public use, community engagement, and sustainability. By leveraging our extensive network of partnerships and our proven track record in facility renovation and program implementation, CLF is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to this transformative project.

Our proposal not only preserves the historical significance of the airport structures but also introduces a dynamic space that fosters educational advancement, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Through continued collaboration with the City Council, local organizations, and residents, CLF is committed to ensuring that the repurposed facility serves as a cornerstone for community enrichment and aligns with the guiding principles established through community engagement initiatives.

Our history of 32 years of dedicated service to the needs of underserved youth and families in Los Angeles County truly speaks for itself, and our founder, Maria D’Angelo, was just commended in 2023 by both Mayor Karen Bass and the Malibu City Council for the Children’s Lifesaving Foundation’s truly positive and profound impact on over 95,000 youth and families from historically underserved neighborhoods in L.A. since our inception in 1993.
*Links to Current Press:
https://www.childrenslifesaving.org/press
Link to Program Video and Info about our Camp for All Wilderness Camp Program:
https://www.childrenslifesaving.org/wildernesscampforall It’s our honor and privilege to be included along with other worthy, partner organizations from the Westside to be considered for this truly exciting opportunity. We are once again grateful for your consideration, and I so look forward to speaking with you all in person, hopefully one day very soon! Have a great rest of your week… Our very best wishes,
Francesca McCaffery
Executive Director
1112 Montana Avenue-#534-Santa Monica, CA-90403
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Packet Pg. 1442 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 47 David Yakobson
From: Ash Crossan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:53 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a Santa Monica resident and someone who cares deeply about our city’s history and future,I wanted to share a few thoughts on the future of SMO.

Santa Monica played a major role in American aerospace history. It’s where Donald Douglas built the DC-3 and helped win a world war. That legacy doesn’t need to be erased -- it can be reimagined. What’s on the table shouldn’t be elimination, but evolution.

The airport can, and should, be more active in the life of our community. Beyond the educational and economic possibilities, SMO has already proven its value -- especially during emergency situations like the recent fires. That public benefit is worth building on.

There’s a real opportunity here to lead in the next chapter of clean, community-driven aviation. That could mean electric aircraft, modern flight simulators, job training, STEM programs for local students, and green infrastructure that blends open space with smart development.

Here’s what that kind of evolution could look like:
 A critical hub for emergency response and fire rescue  A STEM education and training center that inspires local youth  A launchpad for electric and autonomous aviation that reduces traffic and emissions  Community access and green space, thoughtfully integrated into the layout  Economic resilience for the city moving forward
 Continued local control after 2028, keeping decisions in our hands We don’t have to choose between a park and an airport. We can create something forward-thinking that honors our past and invests in what’s next.

Let’s not rush to close something with this much potential. Let’s evolve it -- together.

Best,
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Packet Pg. 1443 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 48 Ash Crossan | Journalist
(302)757-0920 | [email protected]
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Packet Pg. 1444 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 49 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Agenda item 7-A: Airport Conversion - LC-compliant Great Park Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

Thank you for your consideration.

Salim Adaya
808 Adelaide Place
Santa Monica, CA 90402
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Packet Pg. 1445 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 50 David Yakobson
From: Hans Schieder <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:56 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: AMO
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Every community which has had the vision to keep it's airport open has thrived.

Santa Monica was once the pearl of the west coast, attracting visitors from around the world. Today it is a filthy accumulation of dead beats from around the nation.

The 3rd st promenade was a wonderful place to visit. Today it is an accumulation of buildings for lease that no company wants.

Other cities still thrive, SM is dying. All because of pathetic management. Don't make the same mistake with SMO! There is still time to revive travel to Santa Monica if it's airport is helped to modernize rather than being reduced to rubble.

The future of the entire city is at stake, not just the airport! Time to think!!
Hans Schieder
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Packet Pg. 1446 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 51 David Yakobson
From: Faustin Carter <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:59 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Santa Monica Airport Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a local resident of Santa Monica (and an airport neighbor; I live in Sunset Park at 2261 23rd St between Pico and Pearl) I am writing to advocate strongly that whatever is done to the Santa Monica Airport land post 2028 continue to include a focus on revenue generating aviation activities.

It is clear from community surveys and well documented in Staff Report 6638 that the clear consensus of the Santa Monica community is to have a "Great Park" with minimal to no housing development at the current airport site. It is also clear from that report that there is not currently sufficient capital or future revenue designated to support such a park.

I am writing to express my strong support for a future plan for the airport site that fuses the current revenue-generating aviation activities (i.e. the ability for airplanes to take off and land and pay for that privilege and the surrounding businesses that support that activity) and the concept of increased parkoriented public spaces (sports play fields, walking/biking paths, green-space, etc.). This would both reduce the size and scope of the park option, making it more fundable, and also provide additional revenue generation that could be taxed to specifically pay for the project.

Santa Monica doesn't need to pick between a park and an airport. The airport is one of Santa Monica's "crown jewels" and once it is erased it can never be created again. The Santa Monica airport brings immense value to the city in three ways:
- It is a transportation hub that allows rapid ingress and egress of materials and supplies in an emergency. It was heavily used during the recent fires, and will be instrumental, again, in resourcing the West Side of the greater LA area in case of future disaster. - It is an opportunity to promote the future of green aviation. Indeed, recently Santa Monica served as the final landing site of the world's first transcontinental all-electric airplane flight. With the advent of unleaded aviation gas and viable electric aircraft the opportunities for revenue generation and national leadership in this business space are immense and should not be squandered by the city. - It is a historical landmark that celebrates the best of America's aviation spirit and legacy.

Please consider an option that continues to make use of this incredible resource the city currently owns.

A future that combines an incredible community park with the future of green, quiet, clean, autonomous aviation is one that all Santa Monica residents and leaders can be proud of.

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Packet Pg. 1447 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 52 Sincerely,
Faustin Carter
Santa Monica Resident and long time private pilot
2261 23rd St. Santa Monica, CA 90405
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Packet Pg. 1448 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 53 David Yakobson
From: Monte Grix <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 1:59 PM
To: Lana Negrete; councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek; [email protected]
Subject: Item 7.a SMAC Project June 8
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

I had the opportunity to visit Montreal, Canada, and I was struck by the massive amounts of, and the thoughtful use of public space for that city's residents. And how their public policy decisions stand in stark and sad contrast to the lack of public planning in many American cities, including, unfortunately, our own City of Santa Monica. So with that in mind:

PLEASE vote for a Great Park, for the benefit of ALL Santa Monicans, with all new uses dedicated to park and recreation, including plenty of sports fields.

My family is active and my kids enjoy youth sports. I have been a youth volunteer coach for over 15 years and a volunteer referee with AYSO. Unfortunately, Santa Monica is park-poor – with much less park space per resident than other cities. We deserve better. The airport site is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a 192-acre Great Park to address today's acute shortage of open and field space and to balance future density and population growth. Please vote for a Great Park for our kids, our active community -- and for generations of Santa Monicans to come.

Santa Monica is a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. Overdevelopment threatens that, however, and we will never get that opportunity back. Please be the thoughtful steward of public trust that I know you all are....for the kids and for all of us. For the people.

Thank you,
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Packet Pg. 1449 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 54 Monte Grix
1433 24th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 804-3241
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Packet Pg. 1450 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 55 David Yakobson
From: Fred Fourcher <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:00 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8th meeting - Agenda item 7A - Airport Planning Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Honorable Council Members,
I live in Orange County and am in the TV and entertainment business which takes me to Santa Monica on a regular basis. I am a private pilot and someƟmes fly to Santa Monica so I can extend the meeƟngs I can do in a day. In person meeƟngs have resulted in highly beneficial outcomes for both my company as well as the companies in Santa Monica.

I am a big advocate of keeping Santa Monica an airport. We had the great park promise here in OC that ulƟmately will result in around 20,000 homes being built on what was the El Toro Airport.

With Electric AircraŌ on the horizon this is really exciƟng for air mobility where the average person can take advantage of the ease in which I am able to get to Santa Monica.

Please keep Santa Monica an airport to open the future to air travel as well as keep the traffic and congesƟon down in Santa Monica.

Fred Fourcher
Cell 714 914 1000
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Packet Pg. 1451 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 56 David Yakobson
From: Taylor Begert <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:04 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Elaine Polachek; [email protected]; councilmtgitems; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis Subject: Item 7.a SMAC Project JULY 8
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I live in Santa Monica with my family. My kids are active and play sports, but there is a shortage of park and open space because Santa Monica is park-poor and has significantly less park space per resident than other cities. This problem is only getting worse as the city gets more and more dense. The airport site is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a Great Park and make Santa Monica more livable for families, now and for generations to come. Please vote to create a LC-compliant Great Park on our public land, for the benefit of ALL Santa Monicans.

Thank you,
--
Taylor Begert
Singer/Songwriter & Worship Artist
www.taylorbegert.com
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Packet Pg. 1452 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 57 David Yakobson
From: Lisa Kienholz <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:12 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8th, 2025 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Forward my email from yesterday to this email address as well. ----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Lisa Kienholz <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 7, 2025 at 05:13:01 PM PDT
Subject: July 8th, 2025 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a local resident, member of the local general aviation community and a long-time admirer of Santa Monica’s historic role in American aerospace, I urge you to consider a path of evolution, not elimination for the Santa Monica Airport.

I began my flight training as a young woman, in 1981, that the Santa Monica airport. I live less than 2 miles from SMO and fly out of the Santa Paula airport. The city of Santa Paula embraces, and takes pride in, their airports history. The Santa Paula residents understand the importance of the airport as a community resource. A place where the local children, and residences of all ages, can pursue STEM and aviation education. Where they respect the airports economic contribution to their city and where the firefighters regularly set up a base to fight local fires.

The history of the Santa Monica airport is an important history, where Donald Douglas built the DC-3 and helped win a world war. It is my hope that the Santa Monica City council will do it's job in representing the community with the knowledge of the important part the local airport plays in support of the community. It is my belief that the future of the Santa Monica airport is a vital part of the future of Santa Monica and it's surrounding areas. Local airports are needed in a time of emergency and play an important role in advancing aviation and training future pilots.

The evolution of the Santa Monica Airport could mean:
 A world-class STEM education and training center, where Santa Monica students are inspired to pursue science, technology, and flight
 A hub for electric and autonomous aviation, already being tested at SMO and poised to reduce traffic congestion and emissions
 Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure  Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1453 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 58  Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus— one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. If you let the Santa Monica Airport close during your term on the City Council it will be lost forever. Please let's work together to evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Lisa Kienholz
Vintage Aircraft Owner/Pilot
Board Member - Figure 1 Foundation - Aviation Scholarships Board Member - Continental Luscombe Assocation
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1454 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 59 David Yakobson
From: Vincent Landay <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 2:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Item 7.A. SMAC Project - 8-July-2025
Importance: High
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As a lifelong resident of Santa Monica, I have enjoyed and made use of our city's parks for many years. However, there has consistently been a
shortage of park space, especially since, aside from Clover Park, all the others are only one square block in size.

During my three years as Regional Commissioner for Santa Monica AYSO and additional years as Field & Safety Director, I witnessed the significant unmet needs of not only the youth soccer community but also other youth sports that are in dire need of field space.

As a tennis player, I have often found myself waiting for an hour to access a court, sometimes having to ask others to leave. In other instances, I have given up and tried several other parks, only to return home without having played. With the rise in popularity of pickleball, the demand for courts has increased even more.

However, the answer is NOT to fill our Great Park area with new buildings. We need more playing fields, courts, and natural spaces on the East side of our concrete jungle.

I have read the park consultants' webpages and participated in all of the informational meetings. I urge you to proceed with the development of an inspiring, LC-compliant Great Park that includes a sensible financing plan prioritizing existing on-site revenue sources, without selling or privatizing the land.

As our park-deficient city continues to rapidly grow, it is crucial that we plan for the creation of adequate open, recreational, and regenerative spaces that can restore habitats and serve the needs of both current and future generations.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1455 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 60 Sincerely,
Vincent Landay
……………………………………………………………………………………………
This message was sent from my personal gmail account.

Please refer any business inquires to: [email protected] Thanks a bunch!
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July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1456 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 61 David Yakobson
From: Laura Hoffman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:10 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Item 7.A./July 8th - Support for an LC-compliant Great Park Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
Please approve the plans for an LC-compliant Great Park (no ballot measure, no new development) at the Santa Monica Airport location. Our city needs more park space and this location should be the site of 100% park space with no new development, including housing or commercial space.

Thank you,
Laura Hoffman, Santa Monica City Resident
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1457 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 62 David Yakobson
From: Leisa Nguyen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:17 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Elaine Polachek; [email protected] Subject: SUBJECT: Item 7.a SMAC Project June 8
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I live in Santa Monica with my family. My kids are active and play sports, but there is a shortage of parks and open spaces because Santa Monica is park-poor and has significantly less park space per resident than other cities. This problem is only getting worse as the city gets more and more dense. The airport site is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a Great Park and make Santa Monica more livable for families, now and for generations to come. Please vote to create an LC-compliant Great Park on our public land for the benefit of ALL Santa Monicans.

Thank you,
--
Leisa
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1458 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 63 David Yakobson
From: Moriah <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:21 PM
To: Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems; HOLLIS

ERDMANN
Subject: KEEP THE AIRPORT AS AN AIRPORT!
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

Here’s what evolution could mean:

Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1459 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 64 keep the airport! Did anyone notice how important the local airport was during the fires?! Please think forward
not corporate.

Sincerely,
Moriah C Slates
Daughter of a Navy pilot, and local resident/voter for over 33 years
1427 harvard st E
Santa Monica
CA 90404
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July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1460 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 65 David Yakobson
From: Amy Fraz <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:21 PM
Subject: GREAT PARK - AIRPORT CONVERSION
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

Thank you for your consideration.
--
Amy
90403
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1461 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 66 David Yakobson
From: Deryck Reed <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:32 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airpor Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
Deryck Reed
Pilot who flies for business and pleasure to Santa Monica regularly.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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July 8, 2025

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Packet Pg. 1462 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 67 David Yakobson
From: Jonah Breslau <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:45 PM
To: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Nikima Newsome; Lana Negrete
Subject: Re: Item 7a: 2 in 3 Santa Monica Voters Say Airport Site Is Big Enough to Include Both Affordable Housing And Parks/Open Space
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Please see this article for additional coverage: https://smdp.com/business/development/airportdebate-intensifies-in-hours-before-tonights-council-meeting-with-new-surveys-and-outreach/ Thank you,
Jonah
On Mon, Jul 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM Jonah Breslau <[email protected]> wrote:

Honorable Mayor Negrete and Council,
Please see the attached memo. With the 191-acre Santa Monica Airport scheduled to close in 2028, the future use of this property is
the most important land use decision facing city leaders. Previously released surveys on this topic reflected the views of self-selected participants in city outreach efforts. This memo shares findings from the first random-sample survey on this topic using rigorous methods to ensure that the results are statistically valid, reliable, and representative of the views of the city’s full electorate.

This survey, commissioned by UNITE HERE! Local 11 and completed last week, finds that two in three Santa Monica voters recognize that the Airport site is big enough for both housing and for parks/open space after it closes in 2028, and support both uses. Please see the attached memo for more details.
--
Jonah Breslau
UNITE HERE Local 11
Research Analyst
He/him/his
773 603 5174
[email protected]
--
Jonah Breslau
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July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1463 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 68 UNITE HERE Local 11
Research Analyst
He/him/his
773 603 5174
[email protected]
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Packet Pg. 1464 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 69 David Yakobson
From: Rachel Maguire <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Item 7.A. SMAC Project - July 8, 2025
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
Please move forward, for the benefit of all, the creation of an inspirational LC-compliant Great Park with a sensible financing plan that prioritizes existing on-site revenue sources and with no sale or other privatization of the land.

As our park-poor city densifies, it is paramount that we plan for the creation of sufficient open, recreational, and regenerative spaces that can restore habitat and meet the needs of both current and future generations.

Sincerely,
Rachel Maguire
Santa Monica Taxpayer and Resident
_____________
Rachel Maguire
Showrunner/Director/Writer
+1-773-551-2642
[email protected]
www.najaproductions.com
Skype: Rmaguire2
Confidentiality Notice: The contents of this email, all related responses and any files and/or attachments transmitted with it are CONFIDENTIAL and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This email may contain legally privileged information and may not be disclosed or forwarded to anyone else without authorization from the originator of this email. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies from your system.

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1465 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 70 David Yakobson
From: Will Wright <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 3:57 PM
To: councilmtgitems; [email protected]; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick Cc: Jeremy Bamberger; Carlo Caccavale; Mark Oberholzer; Kevin Daly; Ralph Mechur; Brian Lane; Hank Koning; Julie Eizenberg
Subject: A Collaborative Vision for Santa Monica: Strong Support for "Growing Park, Growing Community" at the Santa Monica Airport Site
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers:

As the Director of Government and Public Affairs for the Los Angeles Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA|LA), I am writing to express profound admiration for your leadership and unwavering commitment to delivering policy outcomes that will benefit Santa Monica for generations to come. The decisions you are currently making regarding the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) are truly transformative, and we recognize the immense responsibility you carry.

In that spirit of collaboration and shared vision for Santa Monica's future, AIA|LA is available to partner with the Santa Monica City Council to organize and facilitate additional community outreach and focused 'study sessions' dedicated to integrating more professional feedback and proactive recommendations from the regional architecture and design community. We believe that by actively engaging the deep expertise within our profession, we can provide invaluable insights to further inform your decision as it relates to determining a preferred scenario for the SMACP. This collaborative effort will ensure that the ultimate design is not only visionary but also grounded in practical, sustainable, and equitable principles.

For instance, these sessions could explore:
 Best practices in resilient design: Drawing on case studies from other progressive cities, we can offer insights on incorporating climate-adaptive strategies, such as advanced stormwater management, passive cooling, and renewable energy integration, into the park and housing designs to ensure long-term environmental sustainability and cost savings.  Equitable design solutions for public spaces: Our members can provide expertise on creating inclusive and accessible park and community amenities that truly serve diverse populations, considering factors like universal design principles, culturally responsive programming, and safe, walkable connections to surrounding neighborhoods.
 Innovative housing typologies and affordability strategies: We can convene experts to discuss cutting-edge approaches to housing density, mixed-income models, and financing mechanisms that maximize affordability without compromising design quality or community integration. This Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1466 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 71 includes exploring how density, as proposed in Scenario Three, can actually enhance livability and foster vibrant urban environments.
 Integrated urban design for seamless transitions: Architects and urban designers can offer perspectives on how to seamlessly blend the proposed parkland with new residential and commercial areas, ensuring a cohesive urban fabric, efficient mobility, and a strong sense of place for both new and existing residents. This involves thinking holistically about pedestrian flows, public realm activation, and architectural character.  Leveraging technology for smarter city development: We can bring forward ideas on how smart city technologies can be integrated into the new development to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life, from smart transit solutions to advanced building management systems.

Please reach out to me directly at [email protected] so we can begin organizing these additional roundtable discussions and study sessions. Providing greater access to more ideas and input from LA's architecture and design community will undoubtedly lead to a more robust and widely supported final plan.

With this letter, I also wish to convey support for Scenario Three: Growing Park, Growing Community as the optimal path forward for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project. This scenario represents a transformative, "both/and" approach that is critical for the long-term vitality, resilience, and equity of our city.

Santa Monica, and indeed the entire California region, faces an acute and persistent housing shortage.

This crisis profoundly impacts our workforce, families, and the very fabric of our communities. We believe the redevelopment of this 192-acre public land represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address this critical need while simultaneously creating a world-class public amenity.

The "Growing Park, Growing Community" scenario directly tackles these imperatives by integrating substantial housing with a grand public park. This approach, fundamentally, builds a more resilient, equitable, and fiscally sound city by:
 Maximizing Financial Resilience: Unlike park-only plans, Scenario Three creates a selfsustaining revenue stream through integrated housing and commercial development. This innovative financial model will help fund the ambitious park features without placing additional tax burdens or debt on the city, ensuring long-term fiscal health and the park's viability.  Addressing the Housing Crisis with Urgency: This scenario's vision of up to 15,000 homes, at an appropriate and responsible density of approximately 75 units per acre, directly confronts our severe regional housing shortage. This is an investment in human dignity, providing homes for essential workers, families, and members of our local workforce who currently cannot afford to live where they work, significantly contributing to the regional housing supply.  Creating a Vibrant Park for All: A truly great urban park thrives when surrounded by people who can easily access and enjoy it. By developing a complete neighborhood alongside the park, Scenario Three ensures vibrant utilization, safety, and community engagement for this invaluable green space, making it a regional destination accessible to many, not just a select few.  Championing Climate Solutions: Building homes in resource and job-rich environments like Santa Monica significantly reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT), decreasing commutes and serving our planet by cutting carbon emissions. This is a crucial climate action that aligns with the City’s climate and transportation goals.

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Packet Pg. 1467 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 72  Ensuring Future Generational Equity: By expanding housing opportunities, we ensure that future generations have a fighting chance to live within our wonderful city, counteracting the trend of Santa Monica becoming a self-selected city reserved only for the wealthy.  Fostering Economic Vitality: Scenario Three's thoughtful integration of housing and mixed-use spaces provides meaningful opportunities for business growth, innovation, and job creation, building upon the site's legacy as a platform for commerce and creativity. This directly supports our architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, where a diverse workforce, including immigrants, fills critical labor gaps and enhances project delivery.

I recognize that any viable plan must benefit both the city and local businesses while maximizing efficient land use, providing meaningful opportunities for housing, recreation, and innovation. Therefore, Scenario Three aligns most closely with these priorities.

I strongly encourage the Santa Monica City Council to include a housing scenario of up to 15,000 homes in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), believing this site can be a model for how cities can center housing, equity, and sustainability in land use planning.

We recognize Scenario Three as a bold, forward-thinking vision that aligns with the highest principles of responsible urban planning and civic duty. It reflects a commitment to a Santa Monica that is inclusive, financially robust, and designed for the well-being of all its residents for generations to come. We urge you to move this project forward with housing as a central pillar and to ensure the environmental review fully reflects its potential to meet California’s most pressing housing needs. *Disclaimer: The advice and perspectives shared in this letter belong to the author and should not be considered official recommendations from AIA Los Angeles.

Very truly yours,
Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter (AIA|LA) Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA)
4450 West Adams Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90016
E: [email protected]
Subscribe to the AIA LA Newsletter
instagram | linkedin | twitter | youtube | facebook
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Packet Pg. 1468 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 73 David Yakobson
From: Shayok Chakraborty <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:04 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re Agenda 7a - Cloverfield Commons
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Hello,
My name is Shayok Chakraborty, I live at 2440 34th St. Apt. B. I want to write my strong support for the Cloverfield Commons proposal and the building of 3,000 apartment units alongside a park. That's the kind of community I would love to live in - lots of people, diverse, across incomes, where we can live in a real community together versus isolated from each other. I am currently renting in Santa Monica and as a law student I can only afford it because I have rent control. As a future public interest lawyer, I'll only be able to buy here if affordable housing is created. I grew up in the Valley and went to Cleveland High School. Half of my old friends - teachers, real estate agents, social workers - are college graduates yet still live at home, because it is so expensive to rent or buy a starter home in the LA area. Cloverfield Commons would give 3,000 families a chance. Please support this for the future of Santa Monica and to make Santa Monica a better place for working and middle class families. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Shayok
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July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1469 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 74 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:21 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Meeting, Item 7: Evolve Santa Monica Airport—Don’t Erase It Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

Here’s what evolution could mean:
 A VITAL HUB IN FIRE RESCUE OPERATIONS Serving our community  A world-class STEM education and training center, where Santa Monica students are inspired to pursue science, technology, and flight
 A hub for electric and autonomous aviation, already being tested at SMO and poised to reduce traƯic congestion and emissions
 Green space and community access, thoughtfully integrated with aviation infrastructure.  Long-term economic vitality for a city facing major fiscal headwinds  Continued local control over airport operations and land use after 2028, allowing the City to shape SMO’s evolution in line with community values and future technologies Santa Monica doesn’t need to pick between a park and an airport. We can build a 21st-century innovation campus—one that honors our history, serves our residents, and inspires future generations.

Please don’t rush to erase our past. Let’s evolve it into something extraordinary.

Sincerely,
John Chan
Private Pilot, Santa Monica Resident
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Packet Pg. 1470 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 75 David Yakobson
From: Benjamin Kay <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Item 7.A. SMAC Project - July 8, 2025
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
As your inboxes swell with support letters for an LC-compliant Great Park that maximizes green, blue, and recreational spaces, I remain concerned. While I optimistically anticipate your prostance tonight, I am worried that some members of the council might not be genuinely behind “Start with Nature” nor in tune with our city’s Sustainability Rights Ordinance and will thus cave to special interests of pro-development. A great deal of voters will be monitoring this issue very closely moving forwards, so my hope is that all of you recognize what your constituents overwhelmingly want, and REMAIN COMMITTED to (1) no more polluting airports and (2) no more urban sprawl. Santa Monica voters want rewilding and places to play. We also support infill densification in order to meet below market rate housing needs.

Please don’t fall for the special interest’s economic arguments that affordable housing and privatization are the only ways to sustain the park. FALSE! There are numerous funding avenues to explore including: (1) Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) with cultural, educational, and wellness institutions, (2) Green Bond Financing + Parcel Tax Ballot Measures, and (3) Revenue-generating Events, Concessions, and Naming Rights to name a few.

Please don’t fall for the special interest’s equity argument that affordable housing is the only equitable pathway forward. Our city is PARK-POOR. As a renter-majority city, our kids lack play spaces. Please consider all aspects of equity as detailed below:

I. Environmental Justice & Climate Equity
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Packet Pg. 1471 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 76  Parkland Cools the Region: Vast tree canopies and natural landscapes reduce urban heat island effects—vital in the face of rising temperatures.  Parkland Improves Air & Water Quality: Native vegetation filters pollutants, combats respiratory illness, and helps recharge local aquifers.  Parkland Acts as a Climate Buffer for Vulnerable Communities: The park will serve frontline communities most affected by heatwaves, flooding, and pollution—offering relief and climate resilience.

II. Regional Access & Racial Equity
 The park borders West LA, Mar Vista, Venice, Palms, and other more racially and economically diverse neighborhoods.
 This is not just a Santa Monica park—it would serve thousands of Angelenos, especially those in dense, underserved, and park-poor parts of Los Angeles.  Building housing on half the site may benefit several hundred residents, while keeping the land public and green would benefit tens of thousands.

III. Public Health, Mental Health, & Social Cohesion
 Green space is directly tied to lower rates of anxiety, depression, obesity, and heart disease.
 The park offers a free, inclusive space for youth, seniors, families, and people with disabilities—groups often marginalized in the planning of urban housing.  Community gathering areas for art, music, dance, healing, and cultural expression help build resilience and belonging, especially in diverse urban settings.

IV. True Equity = Public Benefit
 Turning half the land into housing benefits a narrow group; keeping the park open serves all races, all ages, all income levels. Equity isn’t just who gets to live nearby; it’s who has the right to clean air, public joy, access to nature, and intergenerational space.

V. Legacy of Land Use & Reconciliation
 The land was taken from the community long ago and used for aviation. Returning it to the public as open space is a step toward healing historical injustices, including those against the Tongva San Gabrielino.
 Building luxury-adjacent housing on reclaimed public land reinforces exclusion; building a public park restores access.

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Packet Pg. 1472 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 77 The Great Park is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to correct a deep environmental and social imbalance. Equity isn’t served by paving over our last large open space—it’s realized by opening it up to everyone, forever.

Thank you for your support tonight and well into the future! Sincerely,
Benjamin Kay
--
__
Benjamin Kay
Adjunct Associate Professor
Life and Environmental Sciences
Co-Founder of Team Marine
Santa Monica College & Santa Monica High School
310.560.6157
><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º> ><((((º> Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1473 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 78 David Yakobson
From: Lauren Harning <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:47 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Agenda item 7-A: Airport Conversion - LC-compliant Great Park Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers: I urge you to move forward with the creation of a Measure LC-compliant Great Park, with a sensible financing plan that prioritizes existing on-site revenue sources, and with no sale or other privatization of the land. As our park-poor city densifies, it is important that we plan for the creation of sufficient open space and recreational spaces that can restore habitat and meet the needs of both current and future generations. Thank you for your consideration.

Lauren Greene
1244 11th st apt c SM 90401
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Packet Pg. 1474 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 79 David Yakobson
From: Erik Wile <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:48 PM
To: Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 Meeting – Item 7 - Please Keep All Options Open Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and city Councilmembers,
I urge you to consider leaaving Santa Monica airport open for scaled back aviation uses. I've enjoyed looking at the presenations that Sasaki has created, and the reseearch they have done into converting the airport property into a great park, but at each step they have said that keeping the airport open in any capacity is not part of their design study. I think that is a mistake; the airport is important for emergencies and could be an asset for recreational use.

If the problem is the noise from jets and pollution from leaded aviation gas, then figure out a way to have a very restrictive noise limit and forbid planes using leaded fuels from using the airport. With low-noise and low emissions electric aviation just starting to emerge as viable, it is the worst possible time to give up on the airport.

I live near the airport and would love to have something like NYC's Central Park an easy bike ride away... but I know SM just doesn't have the same tax base that NYC does, and such a large property would be a challenge [read:
expensive] to keep feeling safe for a residents to use. There is room on the site for a scaled back aviation use, plus bike paths and parks around that would integrate it into the neighborhood, but Sasaki was not tasked with exploring these options.

The Council and the residents of Santa Monica deserve a comprehensive analysis of multiple land use scenerios, including economic modeling of the costs and risks of different options. Everything should be considered, from replacing the whole parcel with housing, to including retaining aviation on a portion of the site. Restricting the study to just having a great park is excessively limited, since we don't have the tax base or transit orientation that would make a Central Park-like park work in the corner of Santa Monica.

As an airport neighbor I ask that you please don't close the airport; it is an asset to the city, not a nuisance.

Thank you for your service to the city.

Sincerely,
Erik Wile
Sunset Park Santa Monica resident.

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Packet Pg. 1475 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 80 David Yakobson
From: Michael Kadish <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 4:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Item 7.A. SMAC Project - July 8, 2025
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers:

Please move forward, for the benefit of all, the creation of an inspirational LC-compliant Great Park.

BUILD NO HOUSING (APARTMENTS, CONDOS OR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES) ON THIS SPACE. NO MIXED-USE ZONING. PARKS AND SUPPORTIVE BUILDINGS ONLY!!!!
Thank you,
Michael Kadish
(Santa Monica resident and business owner)
Michael B. Kadish, Esq.

The Kadish Law Group, P.C.
3122 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 200
Santa Monica, California 90404
Tel: 424-239-6210|Fax: 424-239-6220
[email protected]
Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer does not Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1476 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 81 consent to Internet email for messages of this kind. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do not relate to the official business of my firm shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.

IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with Treasury Department Regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matter addressed herein.

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Packet Pg. 1477 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 82 David Yakobson
From: Katherine Newall <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 5:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Amber Richane; Elaine Polachek Subject: Airport Conversation - Do Not Close the Airport Please Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
From: Katherine Newall <[email protected]>
Date: July 8, 2025 at 4:58:58 PM PDT
To: Katherine Newall <[email protected]>
Dear City Council Members,
I'm not able to attend tonight, but I did want to make my feelings known.

We bought our house 18 years ago on Oak Street and I was fortunate enough to have grown up on Ashland and 14th street which is almost under the flight path.

At the time of buying our house there was a significant amount of jet traffic, which was very loud and very disheartening and I was very pro closing the airport obviously jet traffic has been curtailed. However, the conversation around closing the airport never advanced in the public discourse
Recently, I discovered what how invaluable the airport was during the fires and how it is used in disaster situations. At a time where insurance agencies are abandoning California I am not sure the City of Santa Monica should abandon its citizens - we need the airport.

As well as now understanding that the more space we have unused will be considered for massive housing projects in the open space. I am against another Playa Vista project and fear that our community does not have the resources or infrastructure to support the health and safety of its residents with such a potential massive housing complex. I know money will talk and SM is in need of new dollars and believe builders will rule. The idea of building resources that citizens can use must be considered and the options must be studied as to what the City can afford. Please show me those studies? Listen to your community we demand to be heard and we want to see the studies that outline how we can afford any future projects.

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Packet Pg. 1478 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 83 Thank you for your consideration.

Katherine Caulfield Newall
310.663.3670
[email protected]
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Packet Pg. 1479 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 84 David Yakobson
From: Connor Webb <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 5:15 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 7A: Airport Scenario
Attachments: Airport Mobility and Housing.jpg
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I am writing to encourage you to give direction for the Airport Park Conversion Phase 3b Preferred Scenario development that includes two important aspects regarding mobility and housing options (see attached image):

1. Establish a new North-south active transportation corridor along the Yale/Stewart/28th Corridor through the park to improve access to the park and sustainable mobility between Santa Monica and LA.  There are currently few safe routes between Santa Monica and Mar Vista or Venice. The nearest alternative route is 23rd street, which has a massive hill that is difficult to climb and dangerous to descend. The Stewart corridor is much flatter.
 Connection through the park (via mutliuse paths, boardwalks etc) to Stewart Ave to the south provides a new safe, direct connection to the SMC Bundy Campus and Mar Vista.  Yale/Stewart/28th corridor is signalized for all major road crossings, including Wilshire, Santa Monica, Olympic, Pico, and Ocean Park, with direct access to Clover Park and the future Airport Park  Connection through the park (via mutliuse paths, boardwalks etc) to Stewart Ave to the south provides a new safe connection to the SMC Bundy Campus and Mar Vista.
 LADOT is currently designing the Santa Monica to Ballona Creek Westside Mobility Project, which will most likely be along Beethoven St. The Stewart Corridor connects nicely into that project to expand its reach and utility.

2. Ensure mixed-use housing will be built in adjacent areas that will support the future park while minimally altering its footprint.
 This includes non-public land like the Santa Monica Business Park and north side of Ocean Park Blvd.
 Additionally, SMC has recently proposed modest amounts of affordable student housing on the SMC Bundy Campus, but staff should engage with them on how to maximize the housing on their surface lots.
 On airport land itself, housing should absolutely be included south of Airport Ave. This is a fair compromise that maintains the majority of the park for non-housing uses, while allowing some housing that will support the park financially and socially! Thank you,
Connor Webb
90404
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Packet Pg. 1480 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1481 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred 85 David Yakobson
From: Liza Jensen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 5:25 PM
To: Dan Hall
Subject: Keep the airport for our community
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete and City Councilmembers,
I’m writing to respectfully urge you to keep all options on the table as you consider the future of Santa Monica Airport. The Sasaki presentation scheduled for July 8 presents a narrow view focused on a single park-oriented vision, but the decision before you is far too consequential to proceed without full economic due diligence.

The city faces extraordinary financial headwinds — from budget deficits and depleted reserves to declining tourism and a possible credit downgrade. Before making a historic decision representing consequences in the BILLIONS of dollars, the Council deserves a robust comparative analysis of multiple land use scenarios, including economic modeling and site pro formas. How can you be expected to make a decision about which path to pursue when you don’t know how much each will cost? I also believe a public vote would help build consensus and legitimacy. Measure LC was nota mandate for a park. Measure LC merely requires a vote of the people for development on land formerly used for aviation purposes (with limited exceptions). Much has changed since that 2014 election, which, by the way, had historically low turnout. It’s only fair to give all voters a voice on how this land is used moving forward.

Finally, please consider the risk of unintended consequences. Closing the airport at the end of 2028 without a clear, funded path forward will result in an unmanaged, blighted site or a state-imposed solution — neither of which serves our community.

Thank you for your diligence and service.

Sincerely,
Liza Jensen
Santa Monica community member
Volunteer at Angle Flight
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Packet Pg. 1482 Attachment: Written Comments [Revision 1] (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Interest

SANTA MONICA AIRPORT CONVERSION PROJECT
This Letter of Interest is submitted for informational and exploratory purposes only. It does not constitute a formal proposal, offer, or binding commitment by VertiPorts by Atlantic or its affiliates. All concepts, illustrations, and descriptions contained herein are preliminary, non-binding, and subject to further development, regulatory review, and approval. VertiPorts by Atlantic reserves the right to modify, withdraw, or refine any aspect of the information provided at its sole discretion. This Letter of Interest and the information contained herein are confidential and intended solely for the review of the City of Santa Monica and its designated stakeholders. It may not be disclosed, distributed, or reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of VertiPorts by Atlantic. We welcome the opportunity to engage in further dialogue with the City of Santa Monica and its stakeholders to collaboratively explore the feasibility, design, and implementation of Advanced Air Mobility solutions.

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Packet Pg. 1483 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) P.
2 | LETTER OF INTEREST
RE: City of Santa Monica– Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Dear Mayor Negrete, Members of the City Council, and the Public Works Department,
Please allow us to introduce ourselves and to present what we believe to be a truly exciting and transformative development opportunity for the City of Santa Monica.

VertiPorts by Atlantic isa wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlantic Aviation,a premier Fixed Base Operator (FBO) witha network of over 105 locations worldwide. Over the past several years we have been strategically laying the foundation to bring Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to Southern California. AAM representsa new era of transportation that prioritizes sustainability, leveraging electric aviation that produce zero operational emissions, significantly reduce noise pollution. By offeringa cleaner, quieter, and more efficient alternative to conventional ground and air travel, AAM directly supports the City of Santa Monica’s climate action goals and its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and improving regional mobility. We believe that establishinga vertiport aligns seamlessly with the vision and sustainability objectives of the SMACP.

In the brief presentation that follows, we aim to introduce these innovative concepts, offer insight into who we are, and illustrate our vision, and proven ability to deliver on this forward-looking project.

We are excited about the possibility of bringing cutting-edge technology and modern transportation solutions to the Santa Monica community. This initiative has the potential to address and serve the ever-evolving needs of your residents, commuters, and business travelers alike– seamlessly connecting Santa Monica to the broader Southern California region through quiet, efficient, and environmentally friendly next-generation aircraft.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to engaging with you further on this exciting opportunity.

Kevin Cox, CEO
VertiPorts by Atlantic
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Packet Pg. 1484 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) P. 3 |
What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) refers to next-generation air transportation systems that integrate electric propulsion into existing aircraft, new short take off and landing aircraft (eSTOL’s), and new vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft allowing them to quietly and seamlessly integrate into urban and regional environments.

AAM is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve accessibility, and enhance emergency response capabilities, all while leveraging sustainable aviation technologies.

To operate effectively, AAM requires physical infrastructure, such as vertiports, and digital systems to manage air traffic safely and efficiently.

A vertiport is a designated area specifically designed to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. Vertiports typically include:
• Dedicated zones for vertical takeoff and landing.
• Charging stations for electric-powered aircraft.
• Passenger facilities for boarding and disembarking.
• Integrated air traffic management systems to support safe, coordinated operations.

Vertiports can easily be part of an overall larger redevelopment and/or transportation plan strategically located within cities to support on-demand air mobility. They can be constructed on rooftops, parking structures, or dedicated ground-level sites, offering flexibility in design and location. LETTER OF INTEREST Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1485 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) represents a transformative leap in how cities move – offering a smarter, faster, and greener way to travel. By integrating electric aircraft into urban and regional environments, AAM has the potential to significantly enhance mobility while supporting sustainability and economic growth. For a forward-thinking city like Santa Monica, AAM is more than innovation — it’s an opportunity to lead.

Here’s why AAM is so important:
•Less Traffic, Faster Travel – Urban congestion is a nightmare, but AAM offers an escape route—literally. By taking to the skies, air taxis and autonomous flying vehicles bypass traffic entirely; offering quicker, more predictable travel for residents, commuters, and visitors.
•Expanding Access – AAM can improve mobility for underserved communities and make hard-to-reach areas more accessible, bringing essential services closer to more people. •Clean, Sustainable Movement – With electric aircraft, AAM dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution compared to traditional vehicles and aircraft. Santa Monica’s commitment to climate action and clean energy aligns perfectly with this environmentally responsible mode of travel. •Enhanced Emergency Response – AAM technology can be deployed to accelerate emergency services – from rapid disaster relief, medical evacuations, and first-response times. This capability improves public safety and resilience during critical situations.
•Driving Innovation and Economic Growth – Investing in AAM infrastructure supports local job creation, attracts investment and forward-thinking businesses, and reinforces Santa Monica's reputation as a hub for innovation and sustainable urban development.

Why is AAM so important to your City?

LETTER OF INTEREST
P. 4 |
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Packet Pg. 1486 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) P. 5 |
Why Choose VertiPorts by Atlantic?
Kevin Cox
Chief Executive Officer
35 Roly Tapanes
VP of Southeast
22 Kevin Costello
Sr. VP of Northeast
32 Craig Teasdale
VP of Operations
35 Alberto Barreiro
VP of Network and BP
18 Kirk Hotelling
Sr. VP of Real Est. & Dev.
24 Tania Amar
Head of Legal
16 • Unmatched Expertise: Our senior leadership team brings over 150+ Years of combined experience in aviation and transportation, ensuring deep industry knowledge and proven operational success.
• Backed by Strength: As a subsidiary of Atlantic Aviation, we benefit from a financially stable and well-capitalized parent company with a history of safety, resilience and consistent performance.
• Strategic Industry Relationships: We maintain strong partnerships with leading eVTOL aircraft manufacturers (OEMs) and commercial airlines, positioning us at the forefront of next-generation air mobility integration. LETTER OF INTEREST Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1487 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) P. 6 |
Proprietary Models
Demand Analysis and Predictive Modeling based on Actual movements Value of time &
Willingness to pay Demand per route
Additionally, hundreds of first and last mile routes are analysed for each potential site to then develop demand heat maps which are utilized to help pinpoint the optimum location for the vertiports which will maximize demand and minimize travel time.

Transport
competitive
market
Mobility data
(cell phone
operators)
Pricing
strategy
Demographics
Location
and
Routes
Utilizing Big Data, VertiPorts by Atlantic’s Ground Mobility for Air Services (GMAS) analyzes existing passenger movements over various modes of transport, segmented by various
purposes of travel and various customer profiles.

GMAS assesses time savings over hundreds of potential routes utilizing various price curves in order to predict the size of various markets based upon a passenger’s willingness to pay.

LETTER OF INTEREST
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Packet Pg. 1488 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) P.
7 |
Connecting the Region
An electrified transportation facility
capable of handling AAM at SMO
would serve as a vital hub within a
broader AAM network across
Southern California.

We envision a robust and dynamic
AAM network in Southern California
centered on on-demand
transportation, designed to move
people efficiently and sustainably.

Additional vertiports throughout the
region would connect cities and
communities through a mode of travel
that is safe, clean, fast, quiet and truly
transformative.

LETTER OF INTEREST
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Packet Pg. 1489 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Flexibility with Design
We believe there area variety of
concepts to accommodate AAM aircraft
that can be seamlessly modified,
developed, and integrated intoa
broader master redevelopment plan.

Facilities specifically electrified to
accommodate AAM aircraft could serve
as part ofa multimodal, sustainable
transit hub, co-located with light rail
infrastructure or connected to an
existing or new parking structure, as
illustrated.

The site could also accommodate other
complementary uses such as
restaurants, coffee shops, retail or office
space, enhancing community
engagement and economic vitality.

LETTER OF INTEREST
P. 8 |
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Packet Pg. 1490 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Timeline and Financials
Rezoning and Initial Design
6 months
FAA Approval Process and Final Design
6-12 months
Construction and Commissioning
10-12 months

LETTER OF INTEREST
At the outset, the primary funding for Vertiports by Atlantic’s (VbA) eVTOL Vertiport Infrastructure Development will be sourced from internally generated cash flows. As of December 31, 2024, the company and its affiliates had over $221 million of cash and equivalents. Additionally, the company has access to a $400 million revolving credit facility, which is undrawn as of the date of this submission.

To construct a vertiport, we will need to achieve approvals at Local, State, and Federal levels.

Depending on complexity of the site and the project, we anticipate a 12 to 30-month timeline with some of the activities below overlapping throughout the process.

P. 9 |
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Packet Pg. 1491 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) The possibilities are endless.

Together, we have the opportunity to shape
the future of urban mobility.

We’re excited to collaborate with the City of
Santa Monica in leading the next era of
sustainable, connected transportation.

LETTER OF INTEREST
This Letter of Interest is submitted for informational and exploratory purposes only. It does not constitute a formal proposal, offer, or binding commitment by VertiPorts by Atlantic or its affiliates. All concepts, illustrations, and descriptions contained herein are preliminary, non-binding, and subject to further development, regulatory review, and approval. VertiPorts by Atlantic reserves the right to modify, withdraw, or refine any aspect of the information provided at its sole discretion. This Letter of Interest and the information contained herein are confidential and intended solely for the review of the City of Santa Monica and its designated stakeholders. It may not be disclosed, distributed, or reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written consent of VertiPorts by Atlantic. We welcome the opportunity to engage in further dialogue with the City of Santa Monica and its stakeholders to collaboratively explore the feasibility, design, and implementation of Advanced Air Mobility solutions. P. 10 | Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1492 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) May 5, 2025
Dear SMAC Project Team –
With gratitude for the opportunity, I submit this short Letter of Interest regarding a new skatepark at the Great Park to accommodate both vertical skateboarding (“vert”)-style and street-style skating. While Santa Monica’s and the regions’ skateboarders love and treasure The Cove, which is an excellent Mid-City amenity for beginner and mid-level skaters, both Santa Monica and the region deserve a second and larger skatepark at the Great Park for skaters of all ages, abilities, and skill levels.

Although in some ways a sport that may have evolved almost simultaneously from the midcentury zeitgeist throughout the United States, skateboarding as recreation has seminal, defining roots in Santa Monica and nearby Venice. Many skateboarding historians believe it originally evolved from the surfing community, with surfers taking their thrill-seeking onto land initially with wheeled surfboards, which then evolved into the skateboards we see today.

Burnished by the California sunshine and marketing of the “California dream”, Santa Monica’s and Venice’s influential skate cultures have dominated the skate community imagination for decades, ever since the sport’s inception. That history and influence has been documented and further popularized in films like LORDS OF DOGTOWN and DOGTOWN AND Z-BOYS.

Skating over the years has evolved through both intention and effort to become one of the most open and inclusive sporting communities of all, populated with thrill-seeking mavericks that include women, LGBTQ+ members, and people with disabilities. One of its Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1493 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) most respected and honored street skaters is a trans man – Leo Baker, born Lacey Baker in Covina, CA. As Lacey, Leo won Gold medals in the 2016 and 2017 Skateboarding World Championships and would have represented the United States as a woman in the 2020 Olympics but withdrew to come out as a trans man.

Skateboarders often travel around to different skateparks in a region, both seeking new physical challenges and new friends and sporting connections. A skatepark at the Great Park could be both an inclusive space that accommodates disabled athletes (like the new Watts Skatepark, see below) and a locus of regional connection for the entire Southern California skating community.

Tony Hawk, a California native, skateboarding icon, and entrepreneur who pioneered vert skateboarding, established his philanthropic The Skatepark Project (originally the Tony Hawk Foundation) in 2002, which builds skateparks in underserved communities and has awarded over $13 million in grants to create parks enjoyed by an estimated 17 million people annually.

Partners, naming rights, sponsorships, and donors can be assembled to help fund the build, with user fees, a small skate shop, merch kiosk, or pop-up to help generate revenue for annual operations and maintenance. In addition, skater/spectator patronage of a nearby café or food kiosk can help drive tax revenues that will fund overall Great Park operations, as would parking revenue for skater/spectators who arrive from further afield by car. Annual revenue data and an estimate of annual maintenance costs for The Cove can be assembled as a starting point to help illuminate the financial way forward to a well-run and well-maintained skatepark at the Great Park.

A skatepark at the Great Park is directly in line with and able to more-than-satisfy the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project’s Guiding Principles of Inspiring Wonder (see photos throughout this LOI), Balancing Economics (at minimum the skatepark itself can help generate various revenue streams to help support its operations), and Celebrating Place (Santa Monica helped create, incubate & popularize the sport of skateboarding, now a worldwide phenomenon and Olympic sport enjoyed by millions).

I look forward to helping the City and our community make this skatepark become a reality.

Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28+ years
Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Co-Founder, Santa Monica Great Park Coalition
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Packet Pg. 1494 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SIZE: 20,000-30,000 square feet, plus surrounding seating, landscaping, space for a small skate shop or merchandise pop-up area to sell merch and cross-promote with local skate shops and related merchants. Locate near a café or kiosk. If Sasaki will reserve adequate space in the Great Park for the skatepark, supporter could then work to find a design partner and potential financial supporters.

POTENTIAL FUNDING & PARTNERS: If sufficient space is committed to a skatepark within the Great Park, the following are just a few of the public and private organizations and businesses to approach to become funding and/or promotional partners – Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1495 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) City of Santa Monica https://www.santamonica.gov/categories/arts-culture-fun/parksand-recreation Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation https://parks.lacounty.gov/ LA Parks Foundation https://laparksfoundation.org/
California Skateparks (design and build) https://www.californiaskateparks.com/ Annenberg Foundation https://annenberg.org/
Other private philanthropy
The Skatepark Project (offers grants to help finance public skateparks in low-income communities) – although communities like Santa Monica and Venice are overall considered quite privileged, there are low-income communities within both areas that may draw the attention of The Skatepark Project for either funding or advising; in addition, the Los Angeles County is in many ways an entire region of underserved (see below) - https://skatepark.org/
THE SKATEPARK PROJECT’S DEFINITION OF “UNDERSERVED”
The primary mission of the The Skatepark Project is to help underserved communities create safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth. “Underserved” can be defined as communities marginalized by poverty, geography, or racial, gender and other forms of social inequality or discrimination. Below are some examples of information The Skatepark Project may use to determine if a community qualifies as underserved:
• Distance to existing contemporary skate space (concrete, public) • Median Household Income
• Racial and Ethnic Composition
• Poverty Rate
• Free and Reduced Lunch Rate
• Suicide, Overdose & Disconnected Youth Rates”
Rip City Skates https://ripcity-skates.com/
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Packet Pg. 1496 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Bay Street Boards https://baystreetboards.com/
Board Blazers https://boardblazers.com/pages/about-us
VANS (for skate shoes & accessories) https://www.vans.com/en-us Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1497 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) PARK AND REVENUE SYNERGIES: The skatepark could help drive sales tax revenues (and fuel both skaters and observers) at a nearby café or food kiosk. A small skate shop or skating pop-up likewise would help drive sales tax revenues and help give local companies like Rip City, Bay Street Boards, etc. and national skate gear suppliers like VANS an opportunity to sell and/or promote their product; prominently placed QR codes can help direct skaters and afficionados to the local shops, The Cove, Venice Skate Park, and skate shops in Downtown Santa Monica or on The Promenade, driving sales in some of Santa Monica’s more far-flung retail/tourist locations.

LOCAL SKATE HISTORY/REGIONAL RESOURCES: Signage or simply QR codes also could inform visitors and participants alike both of Santa Monica’s contributions to skate history and culture and direct people to regional attractions like the Venice Skate Park, the Skateboarding Hall of Fame Skateboard Museum in Simi Valley, etc.

CONSIDERATIONS (Locating for Accessibility and Noise Mitigation): Skateboarding can be loud, especially street-style skating where skaters practice tricks over and over, and so some thought needs to go into location within the park. It likely should go near Centinela both for regional accessibility and to mitigate potential noise issues. Designers would want to make it easy for participants to get to (i.e., not buried deep within the middle of the park) and also put it where it won’t draw noise complaints. One other option that could be cool, but maybe less accessible, would be on the very Western end of the park, overlooking 23rd Street/Walgrove, which likely will always be a noisy area due to heavy traffic. Could be a pretty breathtaking place for people to both skate and spectate.

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Packet Pg. 1498 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) AUXILLIARY LOCATION: If part of the SMO runway is retained like at Tempelhof, there could be a designated “skate area” or “skate lane” there too, although this would not take the place of a more complete skatepark with both bowls and street features elsewhere in the Great Park.

BENEFIT - less damage to public and private property: Street-style skaters unfortunately can have a tendency to damage both public and private property. Street skaters love to find rails and walls to slide down, steps to jump over, curbs to grind on, etc. My own son has yelled from time to time over the years as heads out the door things like: “We’re skating (Santa Monica) City Hall today” or “We’re skating the West L.A. Courthouse today”….. my admonition to him is always: “PLEASE DO NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING!!!!” A large, attractive and challenging skatepark at the Great Park will pull in street skaters and help keep them away from attractive (from a skater’s perspective) public and private properties. [THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1499 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

INSPIRATIONS
THE SKATEPARK PROJECT – https://skatepark.org/
FISE LIST OF 20 BEST SKATE PARKS IN THE WORLD –
https://www.fise.fr/en/fise-world-series-2020/news/our-20-best-skateparks-world [CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]
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Packet Pg. 1500 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

VENICE SKATE PARK
–
STOKE PLAZA, UK–
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Packet Pg. 1501 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) VANCOUVER PLAZA SKATEPARK – for street skating
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Packet Pg. 1502 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) WATTS SKATEPARK – an all-access park for both adaptive skaters and the nondisabled; a park for EVERYONE SKATEBOARD HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM –
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Packet Pg. 1503 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) THE SKATEROOM / PHILANTHROPY –
Maybe the skate shop or pop-up directs visitors through a QR code to THE SKATEROOM (headquartered in Belgium), which sells skateboard art and raises funds for social impact projects worldwide. https://theskateroom.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqyuHqw80egj8v8iCp72- 5UIF8xSSZjsgks7jK3fYYauMoSaoNr
[CONTINUED]
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Packet Pg. 1504 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins))

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
!
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Packet Pg. 1505 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) May 5, 2025
Dear SMAC Project Team –
With gratitude for the opportunity, I submit this short Letter of Interest regarding a new skatepark at the Great Park to accommodate both vertical skateboarding (“vert”)-style and street-style skating. While Santa Monica’s and the regions’ skateboarders love and treasure The Cove, which is an excellent Mid-City amenity for beginner and mid-level skaters, both Santa Monica and the region deserve a second and larger skatepark at the Great Park for skaters of all ages, abilities, and skill levels.

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Packet Pg. 1506 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) most respected and honored street skaters is a trans man – Leo Baker, born Lacey Baker in Covina, CA. As Lacey, Leo won Gold medals in the 2016 and 2017 Skateboarding World Championships and would have represented the United States as a woman in the 2020 Olympics but withdrew to come out as a trans man.

I look forward to helping the City and our community make this skatepark become a reality.

Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28+ years
Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Co-Founder, Santa Monica Great Park Coalition
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Packet Pg. 1507 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SIZE: 20,000-30,000 square feet, plus surrounding seating, landscaping, space for a small skate shop or merchandise pop-up area to sell merch and cross-promote with local skate shops and related merchants. Locate near a café or kiosk. If Sasaki will reserve adequate space in the Great Park for the skatepark, supporter could then work to find a design partner and potential financial supporters.

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Packet Pg. 1508 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) City of Santa Monica https://www.santamonica.gov/categories/arts-culture-fun/parksand-recreation Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation https://parks.lacounty.gov/ LA Parks Foundation https://laparksfoundation.org/
California Skateparks (design and build) https://www.californiaskateparks.com/ Annenberg Foundation https://annenberg.org/
Other private philanthropy
The Skatepark Project (offers grants to help finance public skateparks in low-income communities) – although communities like Santa Monica and Venice are overall considered quite privileged, there are low-income communities within both areas that may draw the attention of The Skatepark Project for either funding or advising; in addition, the Los Angeles County is in many ways an entire region of underserved (see below) - https://skatepark.org/
THE SKATEPARK PROJECT’S DEFINITION OF “UNDERSERVED”
The primary mission of the The Skatepark Project is to help underserved communities create safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth. “Underserved” can be defined as communities marginalized by poverty, geography, or racial, gender and other forms of social inequality or discrimination. Below are some examples of information The Skatepark Project may use to determine if a community qualifies as underserved:
• Distance to existing contemporary skate space (concrete, public) • Median Household Income
• Racial and Ethnic Composition
• Poverty Rate
• Free and Reduced Lunch Rate
• Suicide, Overdose & Disconnected Youth Rates”
Rip City Skates https://ripcity-skates.com/
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Packet Pg. 1509 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Bay Street Boards https://baystreetboards.com/
Board Blazers https://boardblazers.com/pages/about-us
VANS (for skate shoes & accessories) https://www.vans.com/en-us Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1510 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) PARK AND REVENUE SYNERGIES: The skatepark could help drive sales tax revenues (and fuel both skaters and observers) at a nearby café or food kiosk. A small skate shop or skating pop-up likewise would help drive sales tax revenues and help give local companies like Rip City, Bay Street Boards, etc. and national skate gear suppliers like VANS an opportunity to sell and/or promote their product; prominently placed QR codes can help direct skaters and afficionados to the local shops, The Cove, Venice Skate Park, and skate shops in Downtown Santa Monica or on The Promenade, driving sales in some of Santa Monica’s more far-flung retail/tourist locations.

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Packet Pg. 1511 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) AUXILLIARY LOCATION: If part of the SMO runway is retained like at Tempelhof, there could be a designated “skate area” or “skate lane” there too, although this would not take the place of a more complete skatepark with both bowls and street features elsewhere in the Great Park.

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Packet Pg. 1513 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) VENICE SKATE PARK –
VANCOUVER PLAZA SKATEPARK – for street skating
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Packet Pg. 1514 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) WATTS SKATEPARK – an all-access park for both adaptive skaters and the nondisabled; a park for EVERYONE THE SKATEROOM / PHILANTHROPY –
Maybe the skate shop or pop-up directs visitors through a QR code to THE SKATEROOM (headquartered in Belgium), which sells skateboard art and raises funds for social impact projects worldwide. https://theskateroom.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqyuHqw80egj8v8iCp72- 5UIF8xSSZjsgks7jK3fYYauMoSaoNr
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
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Packet Pg. 1517 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) 1639 11th Street
Ste 236
Santa Monica, CA 90404
City of Santa Monica - Airport Conversation Project - Letter Of Interest (LOI) Proposal for a Cultural Green Space at the Santa Monica Airport Site Submitted by Atomic Venus Media
Introduction
On behalf of Atomic Venus Media, I am expressing our enthusiastic interest in developing a visionary cultural green space at the future Santa Monica Airport redevelopment site. This is a rare and powerful opportunity to reimagine an iconic location into a transformative center for the arts, entertainment, community engagement, and sustainability.

Our concept blends innovation with heritage, community with creativity, and commerce with culture, positioning Santa Monica as a national model for how urban green spaces can serve as cultural catalysts and community anchors.

About Atomic Venus Media
Atomic Venus Media is a woman-led, mission-driven creative collective with decades of combined experience in live entertainment, television and film production, immersive experiences, and public programming. Our team has individually and collectively produced events and experiences for some of the world’s most recognized entertainment and culture brands.

Our members have worked with:
● Major concert promoters: AEG, Live Nation, Nederlander ● Film & television studios: Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and Universal ● Cultural institutions: LACMA, the Getty, and MOCA
● Municipal and civic partners: local arts councils, redevelopment agencies, and city planning boards
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Packet Pg. 1518 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) From large-scale arena shows and touring spectacles to intimate outdoor installations and neighborhood activations, we bring high-level strategy and hands-on production expertise to every project. We specialize in turning public spaces into vibrant, inclusive, revenue-generating cultural destinations.

The Vision
We propose a multi-use, environmentally sensitive arts and community hub anchored by an open-air amphitheater and surrounded by an ever-evolving flexible-use green space.

Amphitheater: The Heart of the Space
● A permanent stage (minimum 30’ wide x 20’ deep) with professional lighting and sound infrastructure
● Inspired by the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park—a beloved civic venue that serves as both a landmark and a thriving performance space
● Landscaped, terraced seating areas—broad, planted grass tiers for relaxed viewing and embedded visual art
● Designed for intimacy and accessibility, with multiple pathways allowing performers to move among the audience
Community Green Space: Constantly Evolving
● A flexible lawn and plaza zone for pop-up exhibitions, maker markets, live readings, yoga classes, outdoor film screenings, and tech installations ● Infrastructure for interactive art and immersive digital storytelling ● Designed to be family-friendly, ADA-compliant, and safe for all ages ● Seasonal programming to keep the space activated year-round This outdoor venue will support local artists and performers and serve as a platform for national and international talent, cultural festivals, and educational partnerships.

Drawing on Successful Precedents
Across the country, cities have reimagined underutilized public land into thriving cultural spaces:
● Nashville’s Centennial Park Bandshell: revitalized to host music, storytelling, and civic gatherings
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Packet Pg. 1519 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) ● Bryant Park in NYC: transformed into a cultural and economic engine through free programming, pop-up retail, and events
● Zilker Park in Austin: a flexible-use space that now hosts iconic festivals and daily community activities
Santa Monica can learn from these models and create something more integrated, drawing on our deep entertainment history, community pride, and location.

Civic and Community Benefits
This cultural green space will serve as:

1. A Cultural Anchor — Hosting performances, festivals, screenings, and exhibitions that uplift the voices of Santa Monica's diverse creative community.

2. A Community Hub — Encouraging civic engagement, spontaneous gathering, and intergenerational connection.

3. An Economic Engine — Generating revenue through:
○ Curated shops and retail stalls
○ Parking garages with themed design (inspired by areas like Montana Ave, Main Street, etc.)
○ Food & beverage vendors, restaurants, and cafes
○ Ticketed live events
○ Studio partnerships and branded activations

4. A Tourism Magnet — Creating a new cultural destination for visitors to experience the unique vibe and values of Santa Monica.

5. A Green Sanctuary — Marrying environmental sustainability with artistic expression through native landscaping, solar integration, and green building practices.

Our Capabilities and Commitment
Atomic Venus Media is uniquely positioned to bring this vision to life:
● We have produced large-scale events with major promoters and understand every layer of permitting, production, staffing, and safety.
● We work with development partners and funders ready to support groundbreaking civic projects.

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Packet Pg. 1520 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) ● We are experts in fundraising and public/private partnerships, and can help raise capital through sponsorships, grants, cultural funds, and philanthropic channels. ● We know how to activate space while honoring the community's identity—and how to do it beautifully, respectfully, and inclusively.

We understand that projects of this scale must be approached with flexibility. There are many ways to design and phase permanent and temporary structures based on budgetary and environmental constraints. We are well-versed in adaptive reuse, temporary build-outs, and progressive design solutions and are ready to apply those skills here.

A Request for Respectful Collaboration
As we present this vision, we do so in a spirit of collaboration and respect. We ask that the City of Santa Monica engage Atomic Venus Media as a consultant, producer, or creative partner rather than borrowing or repurposing the concept without credit as you move forward.

We welcome the opportunity to bid on the project formally, submit a detailed proposal, and help co-create a development process that centers community input, artistic integrity, and long-term public value.

Let’s make something iconic together—something that belongs to Santa Monica, but resonates far beyond.

Contact
ElizBeth Jones
Founder, Atomic Venus Media
*A Santa Monica-owned business
[email protected]
917-817-9523
1639 11th Street, Ste. 236, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate.

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Packet Pg. 1523 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SANTA MONICA AIRPORT// CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 3

2. PROJECT TEAM
Aventuur
Aventuur is a global leader in surf park development, integrating real estate, recreation, and environmental performance into community-first destinations. Our team includes pioneers of the surf park industry with over 40 years of combined experience across infrastructure finance, surf tourism, public-private partnerships, and real estate development and master planning.

Our leadership includes:
 Andrew Ross (Chairman, Chief Development Officer) – Founder of URBNSURF and the first person to deliver a Wavegarden ‘Cove’ in the Southern Hemisphere (Melbourne & Sydney). Andrew is considered one of the most experienced surf park executives in the world.
 Nicholas Edelman (CEO) – Former Deutsche Bank investment banker, with experience leading surf hotel investments and real estate transactions globally. Nicholas also holds key relationships on the community, surf and project capital side specific to the surf, health and leisure ecosystem we are looking to create in Santa Monica.  Richard Duff (CIO) – Former Principal at Fox River Partners whose portfolio consisted of residential land, environmental mitigation banks, water rights, energy and hotels. He began his career at Goldman Sachs JBWere in New Zealand where he sat on the Markets and Institutional Equities desk.  Tom Rubel (Head of Development - North America) - Former Head of Development and Construction at Irongate, Tom led projects such as the Amanvari Hotel & Residences, Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, previously built the Ritz Carlton Waikiki, and worked on the One World Trade Center in New York. As a former USMC Scout Sniper and Sniper Instructor, Tom’s leadership is invaluable in expanding our North American developments.  Adrian “Ace” Buchan (Director of Surf & Sustainability) - Spent 16 years competing on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. In addition to surfing Ace is a social and environmental advocate who has founded programs like Surfers for Climate and was recently named BBC’s Green Sport Awards Evergreen Athlete in 2024.

Together, we have sourced and delivered some of the surf park industry's most high-profile projects, including winning a competitive government RFP in Perth, securing fast-tracked national permitting consent in Auckland, and raising capital for Wavegarden projects in multiple jurisdictions.

We are excited to partner with the city of Santa Monica and local operators across F&B, surf retail, education, and community programs that prioritizes the shared vision of the repositioning of the airport while delivering a financially responsible project.

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Packet Pg. 1524 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SANTA MONICA AIRPORT// CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 4
Wavegarden
Wavegarden is the global leader in surf lagoon technology, with the most proven, energy-efficient, and versatile solution in the market today. Its flagship system, the Wavegarden Cove, produces up to 1,000 waves per hour across multiple zones, simultaneously serving beginners, intermediates, and elite surfers in a safe and inclusive environment. With more than 10 million waves surfed at commercial parks on five continents, the Cove has demonstrated unmatched reliability, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction.

Unlike unproven technologies, Wavegarden’s lagoons are already in daily use, balancing high-capacity throughput with low energy consumption and minimal environmental impact. As Wavegarden’s largest global partner and the exclusive license holder for Santa Monica and Southern California, Aventuur is uniquely positioned to deliver this proven solution and make Santa Monica the new epicenter of accessible, world-class surfing.

Precedent Projects and Global Context
Perth Surf Park (Australia): Selected by the Western
Australian Government via competitive RFP to develop
strategic 15 acre site in central Perth. Set to be the largest surf park in the Southern Hemisphere with a development cost of A$120m. Delivering 250,000+ annual surf sessions and over 1 million total visitations per year. Project is the largest private investment in tourism infrastructure in the State and is a catalyst for regional revitalization.

Auckland Surf Park (New Zealand): Nationally significant project endorsed as post-COVID recovery infrastructure.

Innovative sustainability model featuring on-site solar, waste energy capture, and deep surf therapy programming. Please see Auckland Surf Park Community | EPA for a deeper dive into the project.

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Packet Pg. 1526 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SANTA MONICA AIRPORT// CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 6

3. SANTA MONICA SURF PARK
Project Vision
We propose a 10-15-acre community-focused destination built around a 56 Module Wavegarden Cove, offering an inclusive, safe, and immersive experience for all skill levels. Our vision is to deliver a transformative recreation and wellness asset that celebrates Santa Monica's surf legacy while advancing its goals for sustainability, equity, and culture.

The site’s natural topography, aviation-era infrastructure, and adjacency to Clover Park present ideal conditions for a surfcentric precinct. We envision:
 Adaptive reuse of airplane hangars to house mechanical infrastructure, a surf academy, board storage and event spaces is an opportunity we will evaluate.
 A surf lagoon offering wave zones for beginners through to experts, extending older surfers’ time in the water and letting younger surfers begin their journey earlier.
 Supporting facilities such as fitness areas, event lawns, trails, playgrounds, pump tracks, and public art/museum space honoring local surf and aviation history.

This proposal integrates directly into the City’s evolving master plan, maximizing views, protecting open space, activating underutilized hardscape, and delivering meaningful community benefits.

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Packet Pg. 1527 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SANTA MONICA AIRPORT// CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 7
Program Elements
The Santa Monica Surf Park will offer a dynamic mix of surf, recreation, wellness, culture, and community programming— anchored by the Wavegarden “Cove” lagoon and supported by a comprehensive range of amenities including a surf academy, public trails, wellness facilities, retail and dining, and flexible gathering spaces—all designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities.
 Wavegarden Surf Lagoon: Wavegarden technology has the largest user capacity, maximum variety and quantity of waves, and the lowest energy and water consumption on the market.  Surf Academy: Structured youth and adult surf education programming, including lessons, performance coaching, adaptive surfing, and school partnerships. Delivered in collaboration with Micro Surf Academy and world-class instructors.
 Public Recreation: Trail networks, skate/pump track, playground, wellness spaces, and a public pool or aquatic center tailored to community desires.
 Cultural Activation: Murals, exhibits, and a surf museum honoring Santa Monica’s deep surf legacy.  F&B + Retail: Local operators providing sustainable food, surf gear, and experiential retail anchoring the community in authentic surf culture.
 Community Spaces: Lawns for concerts, farmer’s markets, and educational programming.  Health & Wellness Amenities: Offering sauna, hot tubs, ice baths, as well as yoga and Pilates, a surfer’s gym, allied health treatment rooms, and other health and wellness activations.

All components are co-located within the surf park ecosystem encouraging an inclusive precinct where the community can gather.

Community Benefits and Inclusion Strategy
The Santa Monica Surf Park will serve as a platform for mental, physical, and community wellbeing. Key benefits include:
 Health & Wellness: Programs inspired by our Auckland and Perth projects to promote surfing as preventive healthcare, including physical fitness, mindfulness, and blue health exposure.  Equity & Inclusion: Dedicated programming for underserved youth, women, and differently-abled individuals.  Economic Empowerment: Anticipated to create over 400 jobs during construction and more than 100 permanent jobs once operational; prioritization of local hiring, workforce development partnerships, and small business retail leases.
 Cultural Value: Through curated murals, storytelling exhibits, and cultural programming, the surf park will honor the city’s surf heritage while providing space for new stories to be written. We will engage with schools, local Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1530 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) SANTA MONICA AIRPORT// CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 10
Our team has successfully executed similar timelines in international contexts and has retained key consultants with Wavegarden-specific delivery experience.

Feasibility and Differentiators
Community-Aligned Vision: Our approach reflects Santa Monica’s core values: health, nature, mobility, equity, and culture.

We meet and exceed expectations for adaptive reuse, inclusive programming, and environmental performance.

Capital Certainty: Aventuur has raised for projects in Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. and brings institutional discipline to every financial structure. We have built models for mixed-use real estate, surf operations, and long-term asset stewardship.

Wavegarden Partnership: The longest-standing, most aligned surf tech partnership globally. Aventuur’s exclusive territorial rights for Santa Monica make us the only development group positioned to deliver a Wavegarden here.

Global Leadership: This project will be the most significant active recreation development in Greater Los Angeles since SoFi Stadium. It will cement Santa Monica as the heart of California surf culture’s next era.

Closing Statement and Commitment
The transformation of the Santa Monica Airport presents a generational opportunity. Aventuur is committed to honoring the past and elevating the future through a proven, inclusive, and world-class surf and leisure destination. With deep roots in Southern California and global delivery experience, we are ready to bring this vision to life.

Surfing was born here. With your partnership, we can ensure it lives on here, for everyone.

Let’s create waves for Santa Monica.

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Packet Pg. 1531 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 1

POSITIVE PERFORMANCE
City of Santa Monica | Airport Conversion Project
Appendices A, B, and C for Letter of Interest
| May 2, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1532 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 2 Contents (Quick Links to Sections)
Appendix A) About Biomimicry 3.8
Appendix B) Biomimicry 3.8’s Positive Performance Methodology Appendix C) Our Work in the Built Environment
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Packet Pg. 1533 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 3 Appendix A
About Biomimicry 3.8
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Packet Pg. 1534 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project | Biomimicry.net | Biomimicry.net
We Look To...

Nature as model, measure,
and mentor
Biomimicry is a new way of
viewing and valuing Nature,
based not on what we can
extract from the natural world,
but on what we can learn from it.

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Packet Pg. 1535 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project | Biomimicry.net | Biomimicry.net
Where does 3.8 come from?
It’s a reference to Life’s… • billion years on Earth • billion years of evolutionary testing
• billion years of free R&D!
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Packet Pg. 1536 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 6 It all began with a book and a meeting of minds. In 1998, Janine Benyus and Dr. Dayna Baumeister founded Biomimicry 3.8—the world’s first consulting firm dedicated to bringing nature’s strategies into design and innovation. What started as a spark grew into a global movement and a recognized field of practice and learning.

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Packet Pg. 1537 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 7 25+ 250+
years of experience in
nature-inspired
innovation
300+
clients served across 25
sectors that have used
biomimicry to gain
competitive advantage
Arizona State University
Master of Science in
Biomimicry program
graduates
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Packet Pg. 1538 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion
8 BIOMIMICRY 3.8

PARTNER AND PROVIDER

ECOSYSTEM
Since our early beginnings, we have
built an ecosystem of leading
organizations and experts who share
our purpose and bring deep subject
matter expertise. By collaborating
effectively behind the scenes, we
provide a seamless client experience
that drives exceptional outcomes.

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Packet Pg. 1539 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 9

INTRODUCTIO
N
Appendix B
Biomimicry 3.8’s
Positive Performance
Methodology
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Packet Pg. 1540 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 10 When the forest and the city are
functionally indistinguishable, then
we know we’ve reached sustainability.
— Janine Benyus, Author of Biomimicry: Innovation
Inspired by Nature, Co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8
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Packet Pg. 1541 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 11 The Positive Performance methodology consists of
four phases: Identify, Quantify, Create, and
Implement. It is an iterative process that integrates
client feedback throughout. At the end of each phase,
we present the deliverable to the client team and
incorporate their input before moving on to the next
phase.

In addition to this phase-by-phase integration, we
recommend scheduling periodic meetings with our
client to keep the team informed, maintain
momentum, and stay aligned with project timelines.

These check-ins are typically held bi-monthly or
monthly, depending on the needs and pace of the
project.

Recognizing the pivotal role of the built
environment in fostering a regenerative
world, Biomimicry 3.8 developed the
Positive Performance methodology to
apply nature’s lessons to land-based
design.

Since 2019, Biomimicry 3.8, together
with its integrated service providers and
clients, has delivered 50+ projects using
this approach.

Methodology
Summary
In-depth understanding of
the local context and
stakeholder needs,
ecosystem services critical
to thriving.

Ecosystem service
performance gap between
the project
site and Nature’s local
benchmark.

Design guidelines and
strategies that emulate local
organisms and ecosystems
to close the performance
gap.

Construction, operations;
public outreach and
performance tracking
to demonstrate and
maximize positive impact.

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Packet Pg. 1542 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 12 Appendix C
Examples of
Our Work in the
Built Environment
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Packet Pg. 1546 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Positive Performance | Santa Monica Airport Conversion 16 Zeynep Arhon
[email protected]
+1 (406) 543-4108, ext. 209
Nicole Miller
[email protected]
+1 (406) 543-4108, ext. 234
Anne LaForti
[email protected]
+1 (773) 876-8542 (cell)
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NATURE IS

POSITIVE
How leveraging Nature’s ecosystem performance benchmarks enables action towards a nature positive future today
September 2024
| ©Biomimicry 3.8
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Packet Pg. 1548 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project The ability of organizations to take meaningful action without delay will determine whether nations will collectively meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 targets and secure the global vision of a world living in harmony with Nature by 2050.

In response, businesses and governments around the globe are seeking a pathway towards contributing nature positive impact.

As organizations embark on their nature positive journey, they are asking key questions such as, what does success look like, and how might we measure it? How do we choose which nature positive actions will yield the intended outcomes? What frameworks or tools can be widely applied but locally appropriate? In this paper, we introduce a simple and proven
approach to measuring the integrity and effectiveness of all nature positive efforts:

Evaluate the ecosystem performance of solutions
against Nature’s proven benchmarks.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• The measured performance of local healthy ecosystems provides a systemsbased fingerprint of what a thriving nature positive environment looks like in that place. Our nature positive solutions can and should strive to meet these place-based benchmarks.
• The methodologies, tools, processes, and expertise exist today to leverage Nature’s performance benchmarks in an organization’s nature positive journey, supporting goal setting, decision making, design, and implementation processes. • This approach has been tested and shown to unlock advancement of nature positive initiatives at pioneering corporations involved in Project Positive, such as Microsoft, Jacobs, and Ford.
• The collective learnings from projects around the globe demonstrate that leveraging Nature’s performance benchmarks provides:
• A common language across frameworks, methodologies, and tools that opens the solution space
• A quantifiable and defensible science- and systems-based approach that is locally attuned while globally connected
• An actionable targeted direction that moves all stakeholders towards proven performance for self-sustaining nature positive outcomes anywhere on the planet.

NATURE IS POSITIVE | I
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ABOUT THIS PAPER ABOUT PROJECT POSITIVE
This paper has been developed as a collaboration between Biomimicry 3.8 and EcoMetrix Solutions Group under the umbrella of Biomimicry 3.8’s Project Positive CoLab. Considering the urgency of biodiversity loss and in support of the rapidly evolving conversation around nature positive and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 targets, this paper aims to:
• Contribute a unifying proven approach to setting nature positive performance benchmarks
• Demonstrate that this approach facilitates and accelerates meaningful nature positive action using tools and methodologies in the market today
• Exhibit that collaboration and shared learning are essential for addressing the urgency of our planet.

We recognize there are many paths and frameworks forward. Our goal is to bring Nature’s genius—as a model, mentor, and measure—into nature positive actions. As our shared learning and applications continue to evolve, we invite you to provide feedback and input, share, and collaborate to advance the transition toward a nature positive future.

In 2019, Biomimicry 3.8 launched Project Positive, a collaborative of change agents dedicated to raising the bar on what acting sustainably means through biomimicry and Positive Performance. In a precompetitive environment, members learn from and inspire each other to activate, accelerate, and scale nature positive solutions. Today, members of Project Positive are demonstrating that organizations canprogress their economic agendas, support climate, circularity and biodiversity goals, and engage their employees & local communities while driving innovation and positive impact for people and planet.

Founding change agents represent the following organizations:

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Packet Pg. 1550 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Assessing Jacobs’
performance against Nature’s
local ecosystem performance
benchmarks across our global real estate
portfolio has been critical to helping us
understand where we are now and where we want
to be. The analysis provided the basis for our strategic evaluation and prioritization of investment in actions
that will deliver the greatest nature positive impact
while also driving business growth.

Erin Laude,
Director of Global Corporate
Sustainability, Jacobs
The beauty of
adopting a “perform like
Nature” approach is that it is an
outcome-based charge, not a rigid and
prescriptive one. It’s relevant in all contexts
and at all scales, in both the built and natural
environments.

Christian Belady,
retired Microsoft Vice President of Cloud
Infrastructure, currently serving as
Strategic Foresight Advisor and
Board member for multiple
organizations
Moving from a take-makewaste linear economy to one that is circular by design is crucial for business,
Nature, and society to thrive. Biomimicry
helps organisations as part of their circular
economy transformation, offering accessible tools and
methodologies that are inspired by Nature’s strategies.

By benchmarking the performance of healthy ecosystems
as one measure of their success, organisations can
ensure they are making quantifiable progress towards
achieving their nature positive goals.

Ellen MacArthur,
Chair of Trustees and Founder of the Ellen
MacArthur Foundation
This place-based
fingerprint helps Microsoft to
align with stakeholders on mutual
goals, set performance benchmarks,
and quantify how Nature can lead us to
ecological regeneration in a way that is
specific to this place.

Kaitlin Chuzi,
Director of Biomimicry & Integrated
Technologies at Microsoft

IN SUPPORT OF THIS PAPER
NATURE IS POSITIVE | III
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NATURE IS POSITIVE
| IV
CONTENTS 1 Introduction 2 Nature’s Benchmarks 3 Unlocking Advancement Toward a Nature Positive Future 4 How to Leverage Nature’s Benchmarks 5 Nature’s Place-based Benchmarks in Practice 6 The Tools to Get Started Exist Today 7 Conclusion Ready to Get Started?
Glossary
Additional Resources
01 03
05 08
11 17
20 21
22 23
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Packet Pg. 1552 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project NATURE IS POSITIVE | 01
The science is unequivocal: from wilderness to
working landscapes to our built environment, we
must immediately protect, restore, and steward
Nature’s ability to provide the ecosystem services we
depend upon. Our ability to take meaningful action
without delay will determine whether we will meet
the GBF 2030 targets and secure the global vision
of a world living in harmony with Nature by 2050.

In response, businesses and governments around
the globe are seeking strategies and solutions
that contribute to the halting and reversal of
biodiversity (and nature) loss, frequently referred
to as nature positive. However, due to a variety of
factors including an emerging dynamic regulatory
environment, many are struggling to secure buyin and implement tangible action today. They are asking key questions such as, what does success
look like for my organization and community, and
how might we measure it? How do we choose
which nature positive actions will yield the intended
outcomes? What frameworks or tools can be widely
applied but locally appropriate?
In this paper, we present a simple and proven
approach to measuring the integrity and
effectiveness of all nature positive efforts:

Evaluate the ecosystem performance of solutions
against Nature’s proven benchmarks.

ABOUT THE GBF
With mounting scientific and economic
research underscoring the urgency of halting
and reversing biodiversity loss, and with
concerted pressure from businesses, 196
countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal
Global Biodiversity Framework in December
2022. This historic framework sets out an
ambitious pathway toward the 2050 global
vision of a world living in harmony with Nature.

The adoption of the GBF has catalyzed
coordinated efforts, led by organizations such
as the Task Force on Nature-related Financial
Disclosures (TNFD), Business for Nature, and
The World Economic Forum, to develop muchneeded guidance for organizations looking to evaluate impacts and dependencies, and
develop a nature positive strategy.

Learn more about the business case for taking
nature positive action with the linked resources
provided at the end of this document.

To realistically secure our species’ survival and well-being, the world must achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets set for 2030. 1 | INTRODUCTION
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NATURE IS POSITIVE
1 | INTRODUCTION | 02
This paper outlines how this science-based, datadriven, and universally applicable approach can be used to jumpstart nature positive action. The
concepts in this paper have been tested and proven
with a number of innovative corporations and
organizations involved in Project Positive, a
Biomimicry 3.8 collaborative.

This paper includes examples, from design of
manufacturing facilities and datacenters to nature
positive strategies, of how these leading
organizations are demonstrating success with this
framework and refining the tools and methodologies
necessary to bring this work to scale.

BIOMIMICRY: NATURE AS MEASURE
The practice of biomimicry aims to develop
human solutions that enable people and
Nature to thrive together by learning from the
only successful model for regeneration—Nature.

One core tenet of biomimicry is to see Nature
as measure—i.e., to evaluate the effectiveness
of human solutions at creating sustainable and
regenerative outcomes by comparing their
performance to Nature’s.

With the capability to comparatively measure
ecological performance in any place, “Nature
as measure” is a powerful tool and data-driven
process for reimagining the potential of a
nature positive future and holding ourselves
accountable to positive performance outcomes.

Learn more about biomimicry here.

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Packet Pg. 1554 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Nature has been practicing “nature
positive” for 3.8 billion years.

The result? Highly biodiverse, complex ecosystems that
deliver the outcomes universally required for human and other species’ survival, health, and wellbeing: clean air and water, healthy soils, climate regulation, and more.

Species have evolved adaptations to thrive within the
operating conditions present in their home habitat
(such as rainfall, topography, and changing seasons).

By way of what they do and how they do it, each
organism contributes benefits that support others in their ecosystem. Collectively, these benefits generate systemsbased conditions for thriving. We call them ecosystem services, also known as Nature’s contributions to people.

Because every place is unique, quantifying the ecological performance of local healthy ecosystems provides a
fingerprint of what a thriving nature positive environment looks like in that place. This place-based data provides the foundation for a shared understanding and vision
of the nature positive outcomes all stakeholders in a
community are striving toward.
2 | NATURE’S BENCHMARKS
A time-tested proven standard
NATURE IS POSITIVE | 03
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NATURE IS POSITIVE
2 | NATURE’S BENCHMARKS
| 04
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES:

A PLACE-BASED MEASURE
When trees regulate climate, wetland reeds filter
water, or bees pollinate, they are investing in the
health of the ecosystem through mutual value
creation—value we can measure. These direct and
indirect contributions of ecosystems (and their
biodiversity) to human well-being—e.g., climate
regulation, clean water, pollination, and more—are
called ecosystem services (also referred to as
“Nature’s contributions to people”).

Because ecosystem services have been thoroughly
studied and can be measured, they are an excellent
proxy for the health of ecosystem functioning,
supporting the quantitative assessment of nature
positive impact. In addition, they provide a systemsoriented framework that links changes in ecosystem performance to social and economic outcomes,
enabling organizations to holistically assess and
address their impacts and dependencies on Nature.

Visit the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment website
to learn more about ecosystem services.

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IN

TERNAL CHALLENGES

INTERNAL AN
D

EXTERNAL CHALLENGES

EXTERNAL CHALLENGES
The growing momentum for nature
positive action is accompanied
by the challenges of overcoming
systemic barriers to action both
within and outside an organization.

These challenges can stymie organizations
exploring a nature positive journey. Internal
knowledge and structural gaps combined
with a highly dynamic and complex external
stakeholder and regulatory landscape
often bring uncertainty into the decisionmaking process, slowing or even preventing forward progress. However, committing to
Nature’s place-based benchmarks can enable
organizations to address these hurdles and
engage in action that contributes to nature
positive outcomes, as outlined on the next page.

Goal setting
Perception that the process
for setting science-based
nature positive goals will be
long, laborious, and complex,
and that defensible nature
positive quantification tools
do not yet exist.

Regulatory environment
Highly dynamic and uncertain
regulatory environment drives
the fear that actions taken
today will not “count” towards
regulatory compliance in
the future.

Existing siloes
Entrenched and siloed
approaches to addressing
sustainability challenges
can make sustainability
initiatives unnecessarily
expensive and lead to
unintended negative
consequences.

Knowledge
Lack of knowledge around
biodiversity and ecosystems,
resulting in uncertainty
about the interdependence
of business success and
healthy ecosystems, difficulty
connecting nature positive
to the organization’s other
sustainability initiatives, and
perception of insurmountable
complexity.

Budget
Lack of budget allocation for
nature positive actions is often
coupled with the perception
that taking action will be too
expensive and without an
adequate return on investment
(especially with a focus on shortterm capital expenditures).

Data
Lack of quality data to evaluate
impacts and dependencies
and to inform and guide
meaningful actions can result
in uninformed decision-making
that can lead to investment in
ineffective solutions.

Varying frameworks
A growing number of emerging
frameworks and standards
make it hard to know which to
use and where to start.

Evaluating progress
Disparate goals, efforts,
and performance relevant
to the local context make
assessment and evaluation
of progress across sites
and regions difficult.

Stakeholder alignment
Difficulty creating alignment
with internal and external
stakeholders around a
common vision and action
plan that provides
mutual benefit.
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A NATURE POSITIVE FUTURE
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Committing to Nature’s benchmarks enables nature positive action through:

Global adoption of this approach will ensure that the growing diversity of methodologies, tools, technologies, and services in the nature positive solution space are informed by a shared outcomes-based method that is both firmly rooted in sciencebacked standards and encourages creativity and innovation.

Regional authorities can leverage Nature’s place-based
performance benchmarks to engage and align diverse
stakeholders around shared locally-attuned goals, and to evaluate progress across stakeholder groups, regardless of the methodologies and tools used for implementation by
stakeholders.

Nature is complex, but the goal-setting process doesn’t have to be. Nature’s ecosystem performance benchmark data already exists, removing the burden and taking the guesswork out of establishing nature positive targets. Adopting
Nature’s place- and science-based ecosystem performance benchmarks empowers organizations to make one nature
positive commitment that provides the flexibility to deliver locally attuned design that drives high quality, meaningful results in each place the organization operates.

Systems-based approaches enable organizations to realize efficiencies from the local to global scale. When a holistic ecosystem performance modeling system with consistent
measurement units is used, organizations can conduct an apples-to-apples comparison across sites as well as aggregate performance data to the organizational or even value chain level. Systems-based approaches create further efficiencies for decision-makers by enabling assessment of tradeoffs between investment and ecosystem performance.

Instead of awaiting regulatory certainty, organizations can act now with the certainty that the actions they take to align with Nature’s performance benchmark will prepare and
enable organizations to more fluidly address and comply with emerging, diverse governance objectives, such as the TNFD & CSRD, at all scales across all locations. In addition, this proactive approach demonstrates the organization’s commitment to investing in a nature positive future for their employees, stakeholders, and the communities in which
they operate.

Data that shows the gap between a site’s existing performance and Nature’s benchmark supports environmental risk mitigation and opportunity analysis at the real estate portfolio and value chain levels, enabling strategic
prioritization of locations of greatest concern. At the site level, Nature’s benchmark provides crucial guidance for targeted prioritization of capital investment in locally-attuned multi-functional solutions that will both regenerate ecosystem health and increase the resilience of their assets, putting organizational success at the heart of decision making.

A common language across frameworks,
methodologies, and tools that opens the
solution space.

A quantifiable and defensible science- and
systems-based approach that is locally
attuned while globally connected.

An actionable targeted direction that moves
all stake-holders towards proven performance
for self-sustaining nature positive outcomes
anywhere on the planet.
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CHEMISTRY
ENERGY

MATERIALS
CARBON
Nature’s benchmark
Life-friendly chemistry.

Life uses local resources to conduct chemical
processes that are elegant and done at
ambient temperatures, using a small subset
of elements and water as a solvent. “Waste”
products are benign and useful to other life.

Looking for nature-inspired solutions?
Check out Nature’s life-friendly chemistry
solutions in the AskNature collection
Chemistry of Nature.

Nature’s benchmark
100% renewable energy.

Life harnesses local abundant sources
of 100% renewable energy (i.e. built on
current sunlight) using optimized low energy
processes to balance energy needs with
readily available energy resources.

Looking for nature-inspired solutions?
Check out examples of Nature’s energy
solutions in the AskNature Energy Collection.

Nature’s benchmark
All materials in connected flows.

Life resources materials from its local
environment, optimizes materials for multiple
functions, and uses low energy processes.
“Waste” products are in a form that other life
can use, facilitating circular material loops.

Looking for nature-inspired solutions?
Check out the AskNature collections
Managing Waste, Life-Friendly Packaging,
and High Performance Materials.

Nature’s benchmark
Balanced carbon cycle.

Life cycles carbon at rates that maintain a
relative balance between carbon released to
the atmosphere and that stored in biomass
and soils, maintaining a favorable climate.

Looking for nature-inspired solutions?
Check out technical and social examples in
the AskNature collection What Guidance
Does Nature Have for COP26?
Looking to Nature’s guidance for sustainability challenges is not new.

Many organizations already have commitments that align with Nature’s proven aspirational benchmarks and strategies in the areas of carbon, energy, materials, and chemistry to address humanity’s greatest sustainability challenges.

Organizational commitments
• Decarbonization
• Net Zero Carbon
• Carbon Negative
Primary challenges
• Excess carbon in the atmosphere
• Embodied carbon
Organizational commitments
• Circular materials
• Circular economy
Primary challenges
• Pollution in air, water, and soils
• Linear “take, make, waste”
material model
• Unrecyclable products
• Finite planetary resources
Organizational commitments
• 100% renewable energy
• 100% carbon-free energy
Primary challenges
• Carbon-intensive energy sources
• Inefficient energy systems
Organizational commitments
• Green chemistry
• Safer alternatives
• Eliminate plastics of concern
Primary challenges
• Toxicity (harmful to human and
environmental health)
• Chemicals of concern/ hazardous
chemicals
• Forever chemicals
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Leveraging Nature’s performance benchmarks can guide your pathway toward nature positive performance and impact, whether developing your nature positive strategy, designing for the built environment, or carrying out land management activities. Here’s how:

Make a commitment to strive to match Nature’s ecosystem performance benchmark in each place your organization impacts (e.g., manufacturing facilities, corporate offices & campuses, supply chain, and ecosystem restoration projects).

For each place (“site”) your organization impacts:
1 2
a. Establish Nature’s local ecosystem
performance benchmark by measuring the
performance of a highly functioning reference
landscape located as close as possible to your
site in the local biome. This benchmark
becomes the aspirational performance target
for the project.
b. Measure the baseline ecosystem
performance of your site. The gap between
the baseline and Nature’s benchmark is what
should be solved for during the design phase.
c. Use Nature’s benchmark and insights as
guides during the design process to prioritize
design solutions that improve performance
across the suite of ecosystem functions
measured and in alignment with how Nature
delivers performance there.
d. Model the performance of various design
and land management scenarios to select
those that best close the performance gap.
e. Verify and monitor the performance of the
implemented solutions.
a c
e
d
b

HIGHLY FUNCTIONING
REFERENCE LANDSCAPE:

A landscape where the dominant physical
and biological characteristics (vegetation,
soils, hydrology, etc.) reflect intact, healthy
ecological functional performance.

PERFORMANCE GAP:

The difference between a site’s current
ecosystem performance and that of the local
highly functioning reference landscape.

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Establish a clear methodology and metrics
for measuring and evaluating impacts and
dependencies, as well as monitor, evaluate,
and disclose progress toward the organization’s
goals and targets, including the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals.

Make science- and data-informed investment
decisions and track their holistic impact over
time—both in direct operations and throughout the
value chain—to support regulatory compliance, such
as with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free
Products (EUDR), and demonstrate action toward
organizational commitments (and avoid
greenwashing).

Develop an ambition grounded in science aligned
with a time-tested performance standard that will,
by definition, contribute to a nature positive world
when implemented.

Support impact, risk, and materiality assessments,
target-setting, and strategic planning to comply
with multiple emerging disclosure and reporting
frameworks and regulations such as the Task Force
for Nature Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD),
the European Union’s (EU) Corporate Sustainability
Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Business for
Nature’s voluntary It’s Now for Nature corporate
nature positive strategy campaign.

As organizations embark on their nature positive journey, the above foundational steps empower decision-makers to:

Siloes
Knowledge
Regulations
Goals Evaluation
Frameworks Data Budget
Alignment
4 | HOW TO LEVERAGE NATURE’S BENCHMARKS
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Packet Pg. 1561 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Pioneering companies such as
Interface, Ford, Microsoft, Jacobs,
and Logoplaste are using Nature’s
performance benchmarks in their
nature positive journeys to proactively
assess and monitor their impact, drive
innovation to create regenerative
outcomes and business value, and
efficiently set credible and defensible
biodiversity and ecosystem targets.

These organizations employ the steps shared
previously to learn from and design to Nature’s
benchmarks. The qualitative and modeled
quantitative outcomes from these early-stage
projects demonstrate that through this approach,
organizations can reimagine and deliver nature
positive facilities that create holistic positive impact for their employees, communities, and ecosystems
in which they operate.
5 | NATURE’S PLACE-BASED

BENCHMARKS IN PRACTICE
How companies are applying this framework today
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NATURE IS POSITIVE
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INTERFACE
Interface, a global leader in modular flooring, has been learning from Nature since the mid-90s, when the company’s founder, Ray Anderson, began Interface’s journey towards a regenerative business. Since 2000, by working with Biomimicry 3.8, biomimicry has become tightly embedded in the innovation process at Interface, including in the development of the company’s highly successful i2™ design approach. In 2015, Interface expanded its vision to create a “Factory as a Forest” (FaaF) to support a regenerative business model, meet bold business targets, and contribute to the well-being of the landscape and the local community.

OUTCOME
Interface’s FaaF demonstration projects, using what is now known as the Biomimicry 3.8 Positive Performance Methodology, contributed to the local ecosystem by learning from the local ecosystem, including Nature’s ecosystem service benchmarks, to create an actionable plan going beyond “net zero” (neutral) and yielding regenerative impact on the ecosystems and communities where they operate and live.

To learn more about the Interface Factory as a Forest LaGrange demonstration project, read this case study. Biomimicry 3.8 Positive Performance Methodology LaGrange, GA, USA | Minto, New South Wales, Australia | Atlanta, GA, USA Item 7-A
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FORD
Dearborn, MI, USA | Corktown, MI, USA | El Cristo, Mexico Ford Motor Company (Ford) has set several climate goals, including using 100% locally sourced carbon-free energy for manufacturing plants by 2035 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The Ford Sustainability team, inspired by the Interface Factory as Forest project, began several demonstrations to explore applications across Ford in 2019 and support development of next level sustainability performance goals at Ford. The project team used the Positive Performance Methodology to develop a sustainability framework for positive impact at Ford facilities, and identify the best design interventions in three built environment projects:
1) Hub (Dearborn)—a new state-of-the-art building at the Research and Engineering campus, 2) Michigan Central Station (Corktown)—an adaptive re-use of a historic building in an urban context, and 3) Offices & Product Development Center (El Cristo)—a new building on a greenfield site.

OUTCOME
The multifunctional benefits created in the demonstrations support the health and well-being of employees and communities, foster efforts for employee attraction and retention, and provide a tangible path toward strategic objectives and priorities. Example site rendering showing multifunctional benefits from design interventions 5 | NATURE’S PLACE-BASED BENCHMARKS IN PRACTICE
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MICROSOFT
Hollands Kroon, Netherlands
The Microsoft North Holland datacenter, located near Middenmeer, Netherlands, stands as an example of Microsoft’s commitment to developing datacenters that coexist harmoniously with the natural world and benefit the communities in which it operates. Microsoft looked to Nature’s local ecosystem services performance benchmark and biomimicry to inspire an enhanced landscape design for the datacenter campus, helping it address regulatory hurdles and a community priority to maintain the culturally significant polder landscape.

OUTCOME
Planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses, converting previously turfed areas to pollinator habitats, and making a break area outside for employees to have time in green spaces helped create benefits for Microsoft, the community, and local ecology—fortifying canal banks, improving the aesthetics of the datacenter, bolstering biodiversity, and enriching the soil. Mutual value creation did not stop at its campus boundaries—Microsoft is providing funding to accelerate the implementation of a local municipal program to plant 22 tiny forests at primary schools across the region. Inspired by Microsoft’s biomimicry vision and tangible actions, local parties started an additional program with Biomimicry Netherlands to host education days in the tiny forests to teach children about learning from Nature.

Hollands Kroon site rendering showing the predicted outcome of planting efforts Watch this video and read this blog post to learn more about Microsoft’s Hollands Kroon project. 5 | NATURE’S PLACE-BASED BENCHMARKS IN PRACTICE
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JACOBS
Jacobs is a global technical professional services firm. They conducted their TNFD readiness assessment by comparing the performance of each site in their global real estate portfolio against the relevant local reference ecosystem performance benchmark. This analysis included both sitespecific and aggregated corporate-level performance across a holistic suite of ecosystem functions, providing insight for Jacobs to evaluate the limitations, opportunities, and impact of different approaches.

OUTCOME
As a result, Jacobs is developing a nature positive strategy that prioritizes actions which leverage and build on Jacobs’ strengths, are aligned with Jacob’s growth strategy, and will deliver nature positive outcomes.

Jacobs TNFD readiness assessment hypothetical example analysis 5 | NATURE’S PLACE-BASED BENCHMARKS IN PRACTICE
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LOGOPLASTE
Thurrock, England
In 2020, Logoplaste, well-known for its design innovations and adoption of biomimicry, embarked on Mission Zero +, challenging itself to become the first rigid plastics packaging producer to go beyond carbon neutral and to build regenerative factories and facilities. The company applied Biomimicry 3.8’s Positive Performance Methodology to explore upgrades to its Thurrock UK site, where the environment has long undergone the negative effects of industrialization.

OUTCOME
The outcome was a re-imagined site designed for Positive Performance and a pilot plant concept to serve as a roadmap for future Logoplaste sites.

The proposed design interventions, in partnership with EMX and Jacobs, were modeled to achieve significant multifold improvements towards Nature’s benchmarks over the baseline condition in several environmental performance categories, including biodiversity and health and well-being.

Thurrock site rendering showing proposed design interventions 5 | NATURE’S PLACE-BASED BENCHMARKS IN PRACTICE
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Packet Pg. 1567 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Through decades of development
and piloting, the tools for embarking
on a regenerative journey are easily
accessible today.

Continuous improvement efforts led by partnerships
such as between Dow Chemical, The Nature
Conservancy, and EcoMetrix Solutions Group (EMX),
and collaborative accelerators like Biomimicry 3.8’s
Project Positive have resulted in innovative
methodologies and tools to efficiently conduct
site-level analyses. These methods and tools also
support a roll-up of performance across sites to
support organizational, regional, or even national
assessments to understand and report on holistic
impact and progress over time. Collectively, these
efforts can bring nature positive impact to scale.
6 |THE TOOLS TO GET STARTED

EXIST TODAY
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ECOSYSTEM INTELLIGENCE

QUANTIFICATION PLATFORM
The EMX Ecosystem Intelligence (EI) platform is a proven quantification platform for nature-based decision making. Developed over 20 years in 40+ countries and in collaboration with 100+ subject matter experts, EI uses a systems-based understanding of impacts and opportunities to translate Nature’s intricate relationships into tangible measurements that can be used by people of all skill levels. EI supports a wide range of needs such as performance estimating for siting, planning, and budgeting purposes, detailed design analysis, and monitoring and verifying progress on regulatory, ESG disclosures, 30x30, TNFD, and other emerging mandates.

EI offers users two types of analysis tools: the Screening module for high-level “estimator” analyses, and the Design module for detailed quantitative analyses of site performance and design scenarios. Both modules provide local, high-quality reference landscape performance values for benchmarking against comprehensive ecosystem metrics.

This standardization enables aggregation into an Ecosystem Integrity score, allowing for apples-to-apples comparisons across an organization’s real estate portfolio and beyond, including their entire value chain or geographical region. This performance data helps decision-makers identify and implement the most effective solutions within their project constraints.

Example project portfolio dashboard
6 | THE TOOLS TO GET STARTED EXIST TODAY
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POSITIVE PERFORMANCE METHODOLOGY
Biomimicry 3.8’s Positive Performance Methodology (PPM) enables organizations to leverage Nature’s benchmarks within a holistic biomimicry-based design process. From concept to implementation and in collaboration with multiple industry-leading experts including EMX, organizations employ PPM to drive innovative nature-inspired design that delivers nature positive impact for the organization, ecosystems, and surrounding communities. Using quantification tools like EI, organizations can measure, verify, monitor, and celebrate nature positive impact over time.

Project Positive is a Biomimicry 3.8 collaboration of change agents leveraging and sharing knowledge about PPM and biomimicry in a precompetitive environment to increase and accelerate their organization’s positive impact. Experience from over 60 PPM demonstration projects across the globe by Project Positive members illustrates that the often immense performance gap between the business-as-usual development and Nature’s aspirational benchmarks inspires a new nature positive mindset across all project teams that pushes the boundaries of what was previously thought possible. This new mindset and the use of biomimicry to learn from Nature for Nature in the solution space has propelled teams to design innovative multi-functional systems-based solutions that deliver significant improvement across all ecosystem services measured over not only the project baseline, but also industry-standard design.

The global reach of Positive Performance projects
6 | THE TOOLS TO GET STARTED EXIST TODAY
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The time to act decisively is now. Delay in action
comes with a steep price, not only financially but in
the irreversible loss of biodiversity and the stability of the health of our planet. Addressing these issues
in isolation, with single-function solutions aimed at
individual goals, has proven to be both costly and
myopic. Such approaches yield benefits that are too
narrow, overlooking the complex interdependencies
within ecosystems and people’s impact on them.

Moreover, arbitrary targets based on what is deemed
materially significant by varied stakeholders often fail to grasp the full extent of what is required to address the environmental and social challenges we face.

The need for a universal approach that recognizes and invests in the intersection and importance of social and environmental well-being is increasingly urgent.

Transformative goals grounded in the proven
performance of our natural systems can compel
us to match the regenerative capacity of the
ecosystems we rely on. The methodologies and
tools that enable us to act on these goals are readily
available and being used to achieve nature positive
outcomes today. And we know it works—a recent
study demonstrates that prioritizing, resourcing,
and scaling up conservation interventions would
be transformational for halting and reversing
biodiversity loss.

It is within our power to change the trajectory.

By adopting Nature’s ambitious benchmarks as our
measure for meaningful progress, we can catalyze
the bold action necessary to secure a viable future
for our planet and ourselves.
7 | CONCLUSION
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Packet Pg. 1571 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Start a conversation with your networks
Share this report to show your support for
looking to Nature’s performance benchmarks
to guide nature positive action. The more that
people are aware of and adopt this approach,
the sooner more organizations can align and act
towards a global shared vision of a world living
in harmony with Nature by 2050.

Get your performance results today
Whether you are already in the process of
developing your nature positive strategy or
thinking about this for the first time, perhaps the
most impactful next step you can take is to visually
understand your current performance. Conduct
a screening assessment of one or more facilities
or sites. For organizations, this can include a site
in your real estate portfolio (owned or leased),
or even those of your suppliers, using the EI
Screening Module. To do this, simply visit the
Ecosystem Intelligence website and request access.

In very little time, this step will give you and your
teams critical insight into the nature of a typical
“performance gap” for your site(s). These insights
can help your organization understand the scale,
leverage points, and necessary resources to
include in your nature positive strategy.

Put Nature’s intelligence at the core of your
nature positive journey
Goal setting is just the beginning—the next
step is figuring out how to get there. You can
achieve and accelerate more effective nature
positive outcomes by learning from Nature’s
locally attuned designs in your strategy and
design processes. Learn how you can integrate
the Biomimicry 3.8 Positive Performance
Methodology (PPM) in your design process here.

You don’t have to start from scratch—join the
conversation at Project Positive. Learn from and
collaborate with Project Positive’s pioneering
change agents already leveraging Nature’s
intelligence in strategy, built environment, and
product design to create nature positive impact
in their organizations and communities.

Request an invite to the next virtual gathering!
READY TO GET STARTED?
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GLOSSARY
Biomimicry | the practice of consciously emulating Nature’s genius for a regenerative world Ecosystem functions | the biological and physical processes that occur in an environment Ecosystem performance | the capacity of a site to provide ecosystem services Ecosystem services | direct and indirect benefits people receive from ecosystems Highly functioning reference landscape | a landscape where the dominant physical and biological characteristics (vegetation, soils, hydrology, etc.) reflect intact, healthy ecological functional performance
Nature positive | halt and reverse Nature loss, and regenerate the conditions for biodiversity and people to thrive together
Performance gap | the difference in performance between the baseline or design scenario performance as compared to the aspirational performance target(s) NATURE IS POSITIVE | 21
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Nature Risk Rising: Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business and the Economy, World Economic Forum, January 2020. • Indebted to Nature: Exploring biodiversity risks for the Dutch financial sector, De Nederlandsche bank (DNB) and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, June 2020.
• New Nature Economy Report II: The Future of Nature and Business, World Economic Forum, July 2020.
• Financing Nature: Closing the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap, The Nature Conservancy, Columbia University, The Paulson Institute, Cornell University, 2020.
• The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review
• The Economic Case for Nature, World Bank, 2021.
• How business and finance can contribute to a nature positive future now, Business for Nature, October 2022.
• Preserving the fabric of life: Why biodiversity loss is as urgent as climate change, Capgemini Research Institute, 2023.
• When the Bee Stings | Counting the Cost of Nature-related Risks, Bloomberg Finance, December 9, 2023.

Leading experts have researched and detailed the critical needs, risks, business case, and enormous opportunity in transforming our designs, processes, and systems toward halting and reversing Nature loss and creating a nature positive future. The following resources introduce the topic.

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Packet Pg. 1574 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Biomimicry 3.8 is the world’s leading bio-inspired
consultancy offering innovation services, strategic
consulting, professional training, and thought
leadership to support the development of sustainable
and regenerative products, processes, places, and
organizations. Since 1998, Biomimicry 3.8 has helped
change-makers and innovators turn time-tested biological strategies into sustainable solutions, including Boeing, Colgate Palmolive, Nike, General Electric, Herman Miller, HOK architects, IDEO, Interface, Natura, Procter & Gamble, Levi’s, Kohler, Google, General Mills and more.

EMX specializes in ecosystem service quantification
to help organizations understand how changes or
impacts to natural capital assets at any scale (site level to landscape) can affect project sustainability and
risk. In response to a rapidly evolving global focus on biodiversity, EMX launched Ecosystem Intelligence (EI), a proven ecosystem performance quantification platform
that enables rapid cost-effective assessment of nature
positive impacts to support informed nature-based
decision-making. EI is a next-generation tool rooted in EMX’s collaboration with over 100 subject matter experts across 40+ countries over the last 20+ years.

Biomimicry.net
Nicole Miller
[email protected]
EcoMetrixSolutions.com
Kenna Halsey
[email protected]
September 2024 | ©Biomimicry 3.8
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Packet Pg. 1575 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Biomimicry.net | +1 406 543 4108
PO Box 8782 | Missoula, MT 59807
May 2, 2025
City of Santa Monica
Re: Letter of Interest – Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Submitted via City of Santa Monica OpenGov Procurement Portal Dear Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Team,
Biomimicry 3.8 is pleased to submit this Letter of Interest for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project.

We applaud the City of Santa Monica’s visionary goal to transform the 192-acre airport site into a resilient, community-driven, and environmentally restorative destination.

Imagine the Santa Monica Airport site as a blank canvas for nature’s brilliance to unfold. The challenge begins with the highly toxic, lead- and arsenic-contaminated land—an environment laden with pollutants accumulated over decades of industrial use. However, this deeply scarred ground holds immense potential for transformation into a life-affirming, sustainable, and regenerative ecosystem if we harness the wisdom of nature to heal it in place.

As a global leader in bio-inspired innovation and design, we bring unparalleled expertise in applying nature’s strategies to create regenerative solutions for urban landscapes. By using our Positive Performance methodology, we aim to transform the site into a living, breathing ecosystem that benefits both the environment and its community. This approach ensures that development not only mitigates harm but actively contributes to ecological and human well-being, aligning with the City of Santa Monica’s vision of a resilient and restorative destination.

PROJECT APPROACH
Our approach is not focused on a single park or building concept. Instead, it is a nature-inspired approach specifically designed to guide the transformation of the site into a thriving ecosystem and communityItem 7-A July 8, 2025
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Packet Pg. 1576 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) focused park, rather than traditional urban development. Using the Positive Performance methodology, we propose to:
• Identify What Matters | Gain an in-depth understanding of the local context and stakeholder needs.

Identify the ecosystem services that are critical to thriving. • Quantify the Regenerative Vision | Measure the ecosystem service performance of the current site, the chosen scenario, and a healthy local habitat (reference habitat). This data will inform the regenerative vision.
• Create Design Solution Recommendations | Conduct in-depth biological research (“Genius of Biome”) to discover how local organisms deliver the most critical services and solve the same challenges faced by the project. Extract locally relevant design guidelines and recommend design solutions to bring the chosen scenario closer to the regenerative vision. • Create a Playbook | Synthesize all insights, design guidelines, and recommended solutions into a professional PDF document to facilitate implementation.

This work builds upon over a decade of experience supporting foundations, public agencies and Fortune 500 companies to align development with the regenerative capacity of the place. For more information about the methodology and project examples, please refer to the appendices.

VISION
The site’s transformation would need to progress beyond soil remediation into intentional and wellconsidered design for ecological and community revitalization. Picture carefully chosen vegetation working quietly to draw out and neutralize residual pollutants, setting the stage for new life to thrive. Beneath the surface, interconnected systems of fungi, microbes, and other organisms would join forces to revitalize the earth. These efforts would gradually revive native species and micro-organisms, breathing life back into the Southern California ecosystem. Alongside bioremediation, thoughtful designs rooted in biomimicry would ensure the site evolves into a vibrant landscape, rich with biodiversity and purpose.

Over time, these collaborative acts of nature and design would transform the site into a dynamic environment. Asphalt would give way to permeable ground, and the soil would once again become a foundation for flourishing ecosystems. Native trees and healthy plants would provide food and shelter for insects like caterpillars, which in turn would sustain birds seeking refuge to nest and raise their young. This park could become a sanctuary indistinguishable from nature—a living example of how biomimicry can regenerate even the most damaged lands.

But the transformation wouldn’t stop at ecological recovery. Beyond its physical attributes, this project represents more than just design or planning; it embodies a profound cultural and ecological shift, planting Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1577 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) the seeds of regenerative thinking and resilience that will blossom for generations to come. This park would become a place of wellness and renewal for people—a healing haven where residents and visitors alike could reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Meandering pathways shaded by trees that purify the air would invite moments of reflection, while open spaces teeming with life would inspire gatherings, activities, and a sense of togetherness. With its impact extending far beyond the city limits, this reimagined destination would serve as a model of how urban landscapes can nurture both people and the planet, while contributing to climate resilience.

For instance, the project could include a circular rainwater capture system designed to collect, filter, and reuse water, minimizing waste and ensuring a sustainable water source for the park. Additionally, landscape modeling could introduce natural barriers, such as strategically placed vegetation and earthen berms, that not only filter pollutants from entering the site but also enhance air quality by capturing particulates and producing clean oxygen. Community engagement could play a vital role in shaping this vision, with workshops, interactive exhibits, and educational programs designed to teach residents and visitors about the principles of a circular economy inspired by nature. These programs could highlight how natural systems recycle resources efficiently, offering practical lessons on reducing waste and fostering sustainability in daily life.

COMPLEMENTARY SERVICES
Based on the needs and resources of the City of Santa Monica, our approach could be enriched with complementary services such as the following:

Communications Support: Over the past 25+ years, our team has honed the ability to deeply listen, understand diverse stakeholder needs, and respond with clarity and creativity—in biomimicry terms, we have mastered "matching signal with the antenna." These skills enable us to translate technical insights into resonant stories, designing communications that not only inform but also inspire. We specialize in creating visually compelling, strategically aligned content that clearly and tangibly conveys the business and community value of regenerative design. Our communication support for the City of Santa Monica could include:
• Content Development: Creating on-strategy internal and external communications that make the project’s vision accessible and compelling.
• Public Outreach: Designing educational initiatives, exhibits, and public tours that engage and inspire the broader community.
• Thought Leadership: Co-authoring white papers, publishing opinion articles, and presenting at conferences to showcase Santa Monica’s leadership in regenerative development. • Employee Engagement: Weaving the project into existing employee engagement programs—or helping design new ones—to build momentum and ownership from within the City workforce.

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Packet Pg. 1578 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Additionally, we understand that the LOI brief asks applicants to propose ideas about funding. While we do not specialize in fundraising or grant applications, our communication expertise could meaningfully support the City’s efforts to secure project funding. We can help craft compelling narratives and materials that persuasively convey the project’s value, making it more attractive to grants, philanthropic organizations, and other potential funders.

Through these efforts, we can help the City of Santa Monica tell a powerful story about the Santa Monica Airport conversion—one that connects people, mobilizes support, and amplifies the project's positive impact far beyond its physical footprint.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement: To maximize ripple of positive impact, Biomimicry 3.8 could support the City of Santa Monica in achieving community and stakeholder engagement. For example, we can design and facilitate interactive workshops and educational programs for Santa Monica residents, schools, and visitors. These sessions would demystify biomimicry and how it serves circularity and regenerative design, empowering the community to contribute ideas and take pride in the transformed site. For example, we could host “biomimicry walks” on the site to explore how natural systems inspire design solutions or cocreate public art installations that celebrate local ecology.

Professional Training and Capacity Building: As a leader in professional training, we can provide capacitybuilding for city staff, local designers, and project partners. This might involve short courses or training modules on biomimicry principles and their application in planning, architecture, and landscape design. By building local expertise, we help ensure that the project’s values continue to inform decision-making throughout development and beyond.

Design Review and Advisory Services: Our team can collaborate closely with the City’s chosen architects and engineers to infuse nature’s strategies and design guidelines into master plans, landscape designs, and building concepts. We can participate in design charrettes, provide expert reviews of plans, and suggest nature-based, nature-inspired and biomimetic solutions to maximize positive performance outcomes.

Ongoing Monitoring: Post-construction, we can assist in developing a monitoring protocol to track the site’s ecological and social performance. We can train local stakeholders or volunteers to be “citizen scientists” who help collect data on indicators like wildlife presence, water quality, and user satisfaction. This service ensures the project remains on track to meet its regenerative benchmarks and allows for adjustments based on real-world feedback
By offering these services, we aim to not only design a great project but also nurture a community of practice around it. Our goal is to leave Santa Monica with both a transformed site and a knowledgeable community equipped to sustain and build upon the project's successes.

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COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF A BIOMIMICRY APPROACH
The Positive Performance Methodology and our associated services will yield a wide range of benefits for the Santa Monica community and environment. Key community benefits include:
• Proven Model for Regeneration: Nature is the only proven model for regenerative design, with 3.8 billion years of experience creating resilient, thriving systems. By taking nature as both the performance benchmark and design guide, we will set truly regenerative goals for the project and identify the best solutions to achieve them. This ensures that the City’s investment is directed toward strategies that are not only visionary but also efficient, effective, and rooted in time-tested principles—making every dollar count toward lasting positive impact. • Citywide Application of Nature’s Design Strategies: The design strategies and guidelines we develop through this project will have value far beyond the airport site. The City can apply these naturebased insights and regenerative principles across other planning, infrastructure, and development initiatives, creating a ripple effect of positive impact throughout the community and setting a new citywide standard for regenerative design.
• Environmental Restoration and Resilience: The project will show how to actively restore natural functions on the site—improving soil health, increasing urban greenery, and expanding habitat for native species. By mimicking nature’s processes (such as rainwater infiltration and habitat connectivity), the site will be better prepared to withstand droughts, heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and other climate-related challenges.
• Health and Well-being: A design that functions like a healthy ecosystem will provide cleaner air and water, more shade and cooling, and beautiful natural spaces for recreation and restoration. This will translate to tangible health benefits for residents and visitors, including improved air quality, reduced heat island effects, and enhanced opportunities for exercise, relaxation, and connection with nature.
• Educational and Cultural Value: We envision the converted airport site as a living laboratory for sustainability and innovation. Through educational programs, interpretive signage, and partnerships with local schools and organizations, visitors of all ages can learn about local ecology, regenerative design, and climate adaptation strategies inspired by nature. • Economic and Social Benefits: Regenerative design can attract attention, investment, and grant funding. By aligning development with natural systems, the site can reduce long-term maintenance costs and create new opportunities for green jobs, community engagement, and eco-tourism, Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1580 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) reinforcing Santa Monica’s leadership in sustainability and resilience. • A Lasting Legacy: This project offers Santa Monica the chance to create a globally recognized model for urban regeneration—showing that previously developed land can be restored, reimagined, and revitalized through partnership with nature. The Santa Monica Airport conversion can inspire cities worldwide to rethink the future of urban design.

ORGANIZATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Biomimicry 3.8 has the qualifications and experience to deliver on the promises of this proposal. Some highlights of our organization include:
• Proven Track Record: Founded in 1998, our firm has over 25 years of experience in biomimicry consulting and professional training. Our project portfolio includes landmark initiatives such as the application of our Positive Performance methodology to the design of the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters at St. Elizabeths in Washington, D.C., where we guided ecological performance targets to restore site hydrology, enhance biodiversity, and improve microclimate resilience. Projects like these demonstrate our ability to integrate nature’s strategies into complex, high-profile developments.
• Multidisciplinary Expert Team: Our core team brings expertise across biology, environmental science, architecture, engineering, and sustainability consulting. In addition to our in-house experts, Biomimicry 3.8 has cultivated strong working relationships with leading organizations such as EMX, HOK, and Jacobs, extending our capabilities with top-tier design, engineering, and planning expertise as needed. Through these collaborations, we deliver seamless, integrated solutions that combine biomimetic innovation with large-scale project execution. • Thought Leadership: Biomimicry 3.8 is recognized globally as a thought leader in the shift from sustainability to regeneration. We have created and published videos, articles, and white papers on biomimicry in the built environment. Our founders, Janine Benyus and Dr. Dayna Baumeister, are highly regarded pioneers in this field. Our methodologies, such as the Positive Performance Methodology, are at the cutting edge of design innovation and have been adopted by forwardthinking organizations worldwide. We bring not just consulting services, but also a commitment to pushing the boundaries and demonstrating what’s possible when design is inspired by nature. • Strong Values Alignment: Biomimicry 3.8 is proud to be a certified B Corporation, committed to using business as a force for good. Our certification reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and community well-being—values that closely align with the City of Santa Monica’s vision for the airport conversion project.

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Packet Pg. 1581 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) • Global Network, Local Expertise: With our headquarters in Missoula, MT, Biomimicry 3.8 operates on a global scale, having contributed to transformative projects across continents. Our extensive experience enables us to bring international best practices to local contexts. For this project in Santa Monica, we are uniquely positioned with both global expertise and local presence— having a team member based in the area ensures seamless coordination and access to critical local knowledge, enhancing the relevance and impact of our design strategies.

GIFTS & SAVINGS
By embracing regenerative design principles, the converted park would provide a multitude of ecosystem services that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Just to give a few examples:
• The park would promote clean air through increased vegetation, carbon sequestration, and the incorporation of native and adapted plant species, such as grass, shrubs, and trees, which are resilient to local climatic conditions and support local wildlife and pollinators. • Stormwater management systems could be integrated to enhance infiltration, water capture, and storage, using sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), green roof/wall technologies, and other green infrastructure solutions. Additionally, wetland habitats could be created to further manage surface water runoff while promoting biodiversity-friendly designs that facilitate local ecosystems, including support for bird, bat, and pollinator populations.
• One promising solution lies in the introduction of bacteria and fungi capable of “feasting” on the land's toxicity. These microorganisms could break down harmful substances in the soil, rendering it safe and fertile for regeneration. This process of on-site detoxification not only spares Santa Monica the significant environmental and ethical concerns of transporting hundreds of truckloads of contaminated soil—potentially to distant and possibly Indigenous lands—but also represents substantial cost savings, making the restoration both economically and ecologically viable. While this phase of bioremediation is crucial to detoxify the land, it is merely the foundation upon which a broader vision for regeneration must be built.
• Partnerships with local conservation bodies would help develop comprehensive biodiversity management strategies tailored to local species and conditions. Sustainable land use practices would be prioritized to reduce habitat destruction and fragmentation, while areas requiring restoration— such as wetlands, forests, or wildlife corridors—could be identified for targeted conservation efforts. • Furthermore, the park’s emphasis on wellness, biodiversity, and ethical sustainability considerations would not only contribute to ecological preservation but also address social impacts. These Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1582 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) integrated approaches, collectively, would support healthier lifestyles, reconnect fragmented habitats, and create a thriving community aligned with the evolving needs of the ecosystem and a sustainable future.

A compelling example of our regenerative, nature-informed approach is the U.S. Coast Guard’s headquarters in St. Elizabeths, Washington D.C. In this landmark project, Biomimicry 3.8 supported the architecture firm HOK, bringing locally attuned biological strategies to inform the design. The HOK team integrated these strategies across the site and in the building’s unique components—including one of the largest green roofs in the United States. Some of the gifts and savings in this project include:

Water Management and Resilience:
• Reduces flood risk and improves stormwater management. • Green roofs retain up to 424,000 gallons of rainwater. • Saves 520,000 gallons of potable water annually by reusing stormwater.

Temperature Reduction and Heat Island Mitigation:
• Cools the site, reducing urban heat island effect.
• Green roof reduces July average surface temperatures by 4°F and peak temperatures by 12°F compared to traditional roofs.

Carbon Sequestration:
• Trees sequester 153,000 pounds of carbon annually, projected to increase to 883,000 pounds once mature.

Biodiversity and Human Well-being:
• Supports biodiversity with native vegetation and habitat features. • Enhances human well-being through nature-connected design, boosting creativity, immune health, and productivity.

TIMELINE AND BUDGET
Our approach is well-suited to phased implementation. The Positive Performance Methodology consists of four iterative phases that build upon one another. When applied to a specific building or landscape, the process typically takes 5–6 months. However, given the size of the site, the number of stakeholders involved, and the additional playbook component, we anticipate a longer timeline. We would aim to finalize the playbook by 2027, aligning with the City's planning milestones.

As the scope has not yet been fully defined, we are providing preliminary estimates to offer a sense of our service fees.

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Packet Pg. 1583 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Key Component of
Scope
Descrip2on Es2mated
Length
Es2mated
Budget
Iden%fy
What Ma.ers
Gain an in-depth understanding of the local context and stakeholder needs and iden6fy the ecosystem services
cri6cal to thriving.
~3 months Starts at
$60K
Quan%fy
the Regenera%ve
Vision
Measure the ecosystem service performance of the
current site, the chosen scenario, and a healthy local
habitat (reference habitat), to inform the regenera6ve
vision.
~3 months Starts at
$40K
Create
Design Solu%on
Recommenda%ons
Conduct in-depth biological research (“Genius of Biome”) to discover how local organisms are delivering the most cri6cal services and solving the same challenges that the project is exposed to. Extract the locally relevant design guidelines and recommend design solu6ons to bring the
chosen scenario closer to the regenera6ve vision.
~4 months Starts at
$90K
Create a Playbook Synthesize all insights, design guidelines and recommended solu6ons into a professional PDF document
to facilitate implementa6on.
~3 months Starts at
$80K

APPENDICES
To provide additional detail and support for this Letter of Interest, we have included the following appendices. We trust these materials will further illustrate our capabilities and the value we can bring to this project.
• Appendix A) About Biomimicry 3.8 | A brief description of our organization • Appendix B) About Positive Performance Methodology | The thinking behind the methodology and its phases
• Appendix C) Our Work in the Built Environment | Relevant project examples including the Coast Guard Headquarters, Stanford CAM, and Spokane University District. • Appendix D) Nature is Positive white paper | A visionary paper articulating why taking nature as the performance benchmark and design guide is essential for building a regenerative world.

Appendices are provided as separate documents through the OpenGov portal attachment feature. _______
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Packet Pg. 1584 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) In closing, we want to reiterate our enthusiasm for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to demonstrate how a city can transform an old airport into a thriving ecosystem and community asset. Biomimicry 3.8 is fully committed to helping Santa Monica achieve a worldclass outcome – one that honors the community’s aspirations and sets a new benchmark for regenerative urban redevelopment. Thank you for considering our Letter of Interest. We are inspired by Santa Monica’s leadership in sustainability and would be privileged to contribute to this groundbreaking endeavor. We welcome the chance to discuss our ideas further and address any questions the Project Team or City staff may have.

Sincerely,
Nicole Miller
Managing Director, Biomimicry 3.8
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Packet Pg. 1585 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Via Email
May 4, 2025
City of Santa Monica
Office of Procurement
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Attn: RFP Administrator
RE: Letter of Intent – Santa Monica Airport Redevelopment Project ID: SP2641-Airport Conversion LOI
Dear RFP Administrator,
On behalf of Black Pearl Investments I LLC (BPI or www.blackpearlinvestments.com) and its Architect and Urban Designer, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture (H3 or www.h3hc.com) along with a qualified, local Real Estate Developer (TBD), is pleased to submit this Letter of Intent (LOI) confirming its commitment to submit a full proposal backing a qualified, local Real Estate Developer in response to the City of Santa Monica’s Request for Proposals for the Santa Monica Airport Redevelopment project.

BPI believes this project represents a generational opportunity to shape the future of a 227-acre site in one of the most forward-thinking cities in the nation. The transformation of the Santa Monica Airport into an inclusive, community-centered, climate-resilient public asset aligns squarely with BPI’s core mission: to partner with communities and governments to deliver equitable, sustainable, and visionary urban redevelopment solutions.

Proven Experience in Transformative Development
BPI brings decades of hands-on structured finance and capital experience in community focused real estate and public-private partnerships, with a proven record of success in projects across the country that mirror both the complexity and ambition of the Santa Monica Airport redevelopment.
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Packet Pg. 1586 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) BPI’s Various Projects for Reference

1. Green Smart City – Tuskegee, Alabama
In collaboration with the City of Tuskegee, BPI is co-leading the development of a 135-acre smart city, designed around clean energy, digital infrastructure, and equitable housing. The $650 million commitment by BPI was a joint development from a public company and involved civic participation and joint alignment from the outset. This ongoing effort demonstrates BPI’s capacity to build deep community trust and turn a bold public vision into a sustainable master plan.

2. Cross Bayou Redevelopment – Shreveport, Louisiana
BPI was the primary capital partner in a $1 billion downtown redevelopment proposal, BPI has worked alongside the Developer and Shreveport’s Economic Recovery Task Force to reimagine a 10-year transformation of its riverfront and civic campus. The project includes affordable housing, civic infrastructure, and green public space. Our engagement strategy was shaped through formal City Council presentations, civic roundtables, and integration of municipal feedback at every stage.

3. Southwestern College Community Center – Chula Vista, California Under Proposition R, which passed with a majority vote in the City that was backed by the College Foundation, chaired by BPI principals, it successfully redeveloped the $250 million project that included new classrooms, administrative offices, and a community center with state-of-the-art technology infrastructure. This initiative is a great example of educational leadership and civic participation from the beginning. This effort demonstrated BPI’s capacity to build deep community trust and turn an inspirational educational vision.

4. Affordable Housing & NMTC-Financed Projects – California Across multiple urban markets in California, BPI has consulted/financed over 5,000 affordable housing units using innovative tools like HUD, GSE-agency, and New Markets Tax Credits. BPI principals have structured over $70 million in NMTC allocations to fund new housing construction and rehabilitation in underinvested areas, many in collaboration with local non-profits and redevelopment agencies. These efforts involved extensive community engagement through public workshops, design charrettes, and tenant councils.

5. Solar Retrofit Initiative – San Diego County, CA
BPI principal approved and led the installation of over 500 kW of solar photovoltaic systems across multiple affordable housing sites, reducing long-term energy costs for residents while enhancing sustainability under the state’s MASH Program. Recognized by Sempra Energy as a “Best Commercial Practice” project, this work reflects our commitment to integrating climate-conscious design even within existing infrastructure—and to engaging tenants as collaborative partners in change.

6. Gaylord Resort & Convention Center – Chula Vista, California BPI principals have advised on the redevelopment of a former industrial corridor (Rohr Industries and the SDGE Power Plant), a $1.3 billion, 36-acre waterfront 2 Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1587 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) resort and convention center that is set to open on May 15, 2025. It is the largest hotel construction project on the West Coast and the first California property for Gaylord Hotels, a Marriott International brand. Located along San Diego Bay and Chula Vista Marina, it offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, city, and the mountains. Our engagement model involved the community and the City producing an economic development-designed narrative that will directly create thousands of new jobs balanced with convention / civic/cultural uses that can be directly applicable to the Santa Monica Airport process.

7. Eco-Industrial Park – San Antonio, Texas
BPI is currently advising on the redevelopment of an industrial corridor to include a data center, manufacturing plants, assembly lines, and flex/R&D office space powered by renewable / off-grid energy technology. Our engagement model involves the local community utility company and the City producing an economic development-designed narrative that will directly produce hundreds of new jobs, balanced with new housing opportunities and a civic /cultural center that can be directly applicable to the Santa Monica Airport process.

Our Approach for the Santa Monica Airport
BPI recognizes that the City’s goals for this project are not simply about redevelopment— they are about economic justice, accessibility, ecological repair, and civic imagination. To that end, our approach will include:
● Partnerships with local, trusted community organizations: to ensure multilingual, intergenerational, and culturally relevant engagement. ● Fiscal responsibility: We will work with our banking partners to have the redevelopment privately financed.
● Community re-imagination: Work with the city council and other stakeholders to imagine an open green space that expands the artistic and creative opportunities of the local community.
● Business Opportunity: We will work with the city to ensure that the redevelopment of the Santa Monica Airport benefits jobs, creates business opportunities for small businesses, and improves the economy of the city.

BPI, H3, and its approved Real Estate Developer will work with the council and community stakeholders on designing a space that meets the community’s many needs, both recreational and economic. Those spaces may include:
● Open green space and park (promenade, water-featurelake, et al) ● Children's playgrounds and spaces
● Community musical amphitheater, theater and other artistic spaces ● Business office park (technology)
● Historical preservation of buildings like the Airport/aerospace museum ● Mixed-use housing (family, student, deed-restricted, workforce, market rate, seniors, and luxury)
● Public transportation hub (Green / Hybrid / EV)
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Packet Pg. 1588 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) We believe that community engagement is not a box to check—it is a foundation for trust, creativity, and success. BPI is deeply committed to co-creating a process that reflects Santa Monica’s shared vision for the future.

Proposed Project Overview
The proposed redevelopment of the 227-acre Santa Monica Airport site to include a world-class outdoor amphitheater in a portion of the parcel, amongst other community amenities, represents a transformative, multi-benefit initiative.

The venue will serve as a cultural and economic engine for Santa Monica through a Public-Private Partnership (P3) model that generates direct city revenue and broader community value. This plan outlines estimated costs, revenue strategies, and funding sources, referencing relevant Southern California case studies to support feasibility.

Projected Costs (Preliminary Estimates)
Category Estimated Cost Range
Site Remediation & Preparation $25M – $40M
Infrastructure (roads, utilities, green space) $50M – $70M Amphitheater Design & Construction $80M – $120M
Public Park & Open Space Elements $30M – $50M
Arts & Cultural Facilities $15M – $25M
Contingency (15–20%) $30M – $45M
Total Estimated Costs $230M – $350M
*Disclaimer: Preliminary Budgetary Framework Only
These budget estimates are based on cost ranges from similar large-scale outdoor venue developments with integrated public realm features. They are intended solely as a high-level conceptual framework and should not be interpreted as final or binding projections.

No economic analysis, feasibility study, or site-specific planning has been completed.

Environmental, technical, and community engagement processes—critical for an accurate financial assessment—are still required and will need separate budgeting.

Costs may vary significantly due to site conditions, regulatory approvals, scope changes, and stakeholder input. As such, final project costs may come in under or over these preliminary figures, and should be re-evaluated as studies and development progress. 4 Item 7-A
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Packet Pg. 1589 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Revenue Generation Strategies
Direct Revenue to City
● Venue Rental Fees: Tiered pricing for concerts, festivals, private events, civic ceremonies.
● Concession & Vendor Licensing: Year-round food, beverage, and merchandise licensing.
● Parking Revenue: Structured and surface lots for amphitheater and park visitors. ● Naming Rights & Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship for venue name, stage, and zones.

Indirect Revenue & Economic Stimulus
● Tourism & Hospitality Impact: Increased hotel stays, restaurant patronage, and local retail spending.
● Job Creation: Construction, operations, programming, and maintenance roles. ● Increased Tax Base: Sales tax, transient occupancy tax (TOT), and potential property value uplift in surrounding areas.

Community Programming Value
● Free/Low-Cost Events: City-sponsored arts programming, cultural festivals, outdoor cinema, and Nonprofit partnerships.
● Education & Youth Engagement: STEAM-aligned curriculum partnerships, local school use for school graduations.

Potential Funding Sources
● Private Sector & P3 Mechanisms
○ Private Equity and Institutional Investors for amphitheater construction via long-term lease or operating rights.
○ Cultural Foundations (e.g., Getty Foundation, LA84 Foundation) ○ Corporate Sponsorship & Naming Rights Partnerships (live entertainment, tech, or hospitality sectors)
● Public Sector
○ State of California Infrastructure Grants (e.g., Transformative Climate Communities Program, CA Arts Council)
○ Federal Support (DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot, NEA Grants for Arts Projects, EDA Public Works Grants)
● Philanthropic / Nonprofit
○ Capital Campaigns with major donors aligned to arts, climate, or equity causes.
○ Environmental Resilience Grants (aligned with green space and climate goals)
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Packet Pg. 1590 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Strategic Value Proposition
This redevelopment positions Santa Monica as a leader in climate-resilient, culture-forward urban reuse. It will create a multi-generational civic legacy while stimulating the local economy and deepening equity and inclusion. As a partnership with BPI, the city can leverage national expertise and local engagement to deliver a landmark that reflects Santa Monica’s bold vision for the future.

We respectfully submit this letter as our formal notification of intent to participate in this RFP process. We look forward to submitting a full proposal after the RFP is published and a deadline is given.

We are grateful to the City of Santa Monica for the clarity, transparency, and ambition embedded in this process. We look forward to the opportunity to partner with you to realize a redevelopment that not only transforms a site but also transforms public trust, civic voice, and environmental legacy.

Please feel free to contact me at +1(646) 481-3801 or [email protected] or John (R.J.) Estiva at [email protected] or +1(908) 838-1260.

Respectfully yours,
Black Pearl Investments I LLC

John Richard (J.R.) Chantengco
Managing Member
Cc: Jim Regan and John Estiva, Co-Managing Directors
470 2nd Ave. #10D, New York, NY 10016-9185 U.S.A.

Office: +1(646) 863-3301 Email: [email protected] URL: https://www.blackpearlinvestments.com
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Packet Pg. 1591 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) May 5, 2025

Amber Richane
Principal Design and Planning Manager, City of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street, Mail Stop 15
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Email: [email protected]
RE: City of Santa Monica, Airport Conversion Project - Letter of Interest To Whom it May Concern:

We are pleased to submit this Letter of Interest to The City of Santa Monica (“Santa Monica” or “SM” or “Airport”) in response to the Request for Letters of Interest. We are interested in developing new residential housing at the Santa Monica Airport upon the closure in December, 2028.

Using innovative building techniques, public-private funding mechanisms and best in class architecture and design, we would develop sustainable housing options for new neighbors and residents. We are confident that our team has the experience, foresight, and financial capacity to engage, plan, and develop housing to fit the needs and wants of Santa Monica, its Constituents, Communities and Leaders.

Please see the following information and proposal. We are happy to provide additional information, answer questions and meet as necessary.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this Letter of Interest.

Regards,
Scott A. Ginsburg
[email protected]
Submitted on May 5, 2025 by Boulevard Partners.

Boulevard Partners
1702 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
P: (310) 734-8993
www.blvdpartners.com
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Packet Pg. 1592 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Introduction and Objectives

1. A brief introduction of the organization, including relevant experience and qualifications, and a statement on the proposed Public-Private Partnership, listing any other partners and their respective roles and responsibilities (if applicable).

Boulevard Partners LLC (“Boulevard Partners” or “BLVD”) is honored to submit this Letter of Interest to the City of Santa Monica for the conversion of a portion of the Santa Monica Airport property into a vibrant, sustainable residential community.

Through innovative techniques, strong partnerships, best-in-class architecture, and a community-centered approach, Boulevard Partners is prepared to deliver a transformative housing solution at Santa Monica Airport.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, we are confident that our experience, foresight, financial capacity, and community commitment position us to meet and exceed the goals of this opportunity — and help shape the future of the Santa Monica Airport in a way that is consistent with the Guiding Principles, Municipal objectives, Community needs and honors its history.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Santa Monica, BLVD specializes in creating transformative urban environments through mixed-use, infill, and community-driven
development. BLVD is a real estate investment,
management and development firm. Scott a. Ginsburg is the managing partner for Boulevard Partners.

We have successfully owned, planned, entitled and completed residential housing and community centric projects. BLVD brings a wealth of experience navigating entitlement complexity, forging public-private partnerships, designing best-in-class urban spaces, and delivering high-quality, resilient projects.
• 107 Hewitt, Downtown Los Angeles: A vibrant, transit-oriented development at 107 Hewitt in Los Angeles, CA 90012 which includes housing and commercial area, including market and affordable housing.
• E 7th Place, Downtown Los Angeles: Mixed-use development located in the heart of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. Designed to blend modern residential units with creative workspaces and street-level retail, the project reimagines industrial-era infrastructure into a vibrant, community-focused destination that supports the neighborhood’s growth as a cultural and innovation hub. • The Culver Steps, Culver City: A transformative mixed-use development that reactivated the city center with Class-A office space, public plazas, and community gathering areas.

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City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Boulevard focuses on developing buildings, residences, campuses and communities in Southern California. With a focus on neighborhoods and transportation corridors, our properties are typically mixed-use with a combination of uses. Boulevard and its principal have successfully worked with municipalities in planning and developing complex development projects considering all stakeholders.

What makes us different is our hands-on approach to unraveling the details that many other firms use as an excuse to pass on a transaction. Among others, BLVD possesses specific skills that will be leveraged during the development of new housing at the Santa Monica Airport:

• Innovative Designs and Entitlement Know-How – BLVD creates housing by understanding the geography, history, construction, operations and the needs of the community.
• Working with Communities / Entitlements – BLVD works closely with community members and municipal representatives to understand the needs of each stakeholder. • Superior Tenant, Property Management & Partner Relations – Through years of experience and a successful track record in the real estate investment and development. • Financial & Economic Experience – We excel at finding creative, thoughtful and valuable solutions to complex problems.

BLVD will assemble a base team to provide Planning and Architecture support. Additionally qualified team members will be integrated as programs are finalized, and the scope of work is further defined.

Vision: Housing for a Vibrant Future

2. A high-level description of the proposed project including approximate space needs and if any of the existing structures can be reused / adapted to support this LOI.

We would work with Santa Monica and its plan to identify solutions to provide immediate and long-term housing solutions for the residents and workforce. We would consider adaptive reuse opportunities and new buildings. We would also strongly consider master leasing new buildings and utilizing public-private partnerships financing options to expedite construction of new units.

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Packet Pg. 1594 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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• Focus on the details of the project sites.
• Provide financial analysis, innovation building solutions, and engaging architecture to Santa Monica, its leaders, students, workforce and partners.
• Engage the community to determine its needs and
Involve residents in the process from conception,
allowing us to incorporate needs in the plans and design. • Utilize sustainable planning and development techniques to create projects that complement the urban environment.

The number of units proposed and land area necessary is to be determined based on the Community and City’s desires for residential housing as part of the Santa Monica Airport plan.

Our goal is to create new, sustainable housing options for Santa Monica’s residents, workforce, and families — thoughtfully designed, community-oriented, and future-forward. By leveraging innovative building techniques, public-private funding mechanisms, and best-in-class architecture and design, we will deliver housing solutions that embody Santa Monica’s spirit of progressiveness, inclusivity, and sustainability.

We believe that housing is the backbone of a thriving
community. This development will:
• Expand housing access for essential workers,
families, and young professionals.
• Boost local businesses through increased foot traffic and spending.
• Foster neighborhood vitality, walkability, and
environmental resilience.
• Celebrate architectural excellence and civic pride through thoughtful design. • Support Santa Monica’s climate goals with green, efficient, and sustainable construction.

Key Components:
• Housing Diversity: A full spectrum of unit sizes and price points — studios, 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom units — with substantial affordable and workforce housing components. • Best-in-Class Architecture: Partnering with renowned architects to create iconic, sustainable, welcoming spaces that enrich the urban fabric. • Sustainability: Targeting LEED Gold, net-zero readiness, onsite renewable energy, green roofs, stormwater capture, and robust public green space. • Economic and Community Vitality: New residents will directly support local restaurants, services, and retailers — catalyzing new business growth. • Social Equity and Inclusivity: Housing opportunities for diverse income levels, life stages, and professions — from artists to essential workers to faculty. • Transportation Integration: Pedestrian- and bike-friendly streetscapes, seamless transit connections, and reduced dependency on personal vehicles.

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Packet Pg. 1595 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Programmatic Diversity and Intermodal Connections will guide the physical design and development of housing options. on or near campuses throughout Santa Monica. Our team will plan for new pedestrian pathways connecting the campuses buildings, master plans, greenway, existing neighborhoods and transportation alternatives together, weaving them into the existing built environment and educational fabric. We will preserve what is great about existing facilities and improvements and strategically integrate new complementary housing.

Common Areas and Public space will provide opportunities for permanent and rotating public art installations, programmed events, and allow for a rich array of daily experiences both exciting and reflective. Traditional construction methods will be considered along with modular, off-site and printed techniques.

Community Benefits and Neighbor Housing

3. A high-level description of the community benefits, any joint-use opportunities anticipated by the concept submitted, and sustainability / circularity / resiliency concept(s).

Our proposal envisions a vibrant, community-integrated housing initiative on or near the Santa Monica Airport site that directly supports the City’s guiding principals for a sustainable and inclusive housing development. The project will deliver long-term community benefits through thoughtfully designed housing that serves a broad spectrum of residents, including market-rate tenants, workforce professionals, faculty, and essential-service families.

Our core objective is to build new housing on or near the Santa Monica Airport site that serves market-rate, workforce, faculty, and professional families, in alignment with the City’s goals.

Specifically, we will:

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Packet Pg. 1596 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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• Identify immediate and long-term housing solutions through new construction, adaptive reuse, and master leasing opportunities.
• Engage Santa Monica’s neighbors, communities, leaders, and institutions to develop needs-driven, guiding principles-aligned housing.
• Utilize sustainable planning, innovative construction techniques (modular, off-site, printed), and beautiful architecture to complement Santa Monica’s unique urban environment.
• Implement transparent development processes focused on consensus-building.

Community Benefits
This initiative will help alleviate Santa Monica’s housing shortage by increasing supply through a mix of new construction, adaptive reuse, and innovative master leasing strategies. The proposed housing will be integrated into the fabric of the city—not only by its physical design but also through deep community engagement and a collaborative, transparent planning process. We will prioritize architectural beauty, human-scaled design, and access to green space, wellness infrastructure, and walkable connections to schools, workplaces, and transit.

We will bring a transparent and open development and design process to this important initiative of Santa Monica. Through past experiences we have found that building consensus among stakeholders is critical to building housing that becomes part of the fabric of a community. As with all projects, success will only be achieved if our team works with stakeholders as partners.

Joint-Use Opportunities
Our approach includes opportunities for joint-use facilities that serve residents and the broader community alike. These may include shared open space, childhood or education facilities, and cultural or recreational amenities that support cross-sector community programming. These uses will be designed through participatory planning to reflect the needs and aspirations of local stakeholders.

Sustainability, Circularity, and Resiliency
We are committed to developing one of the most forward-thinking and environmentally responsible housing projects in the region. Our plan will incorporate:
• Sustainable urban planning rooted in enhancing the built environment with sustainable development and walkability.
• Circular design principles that prioritize low-embodied carbon materials, adaptive reuse, and deconstruction strategies that minimize construction waste. • Resilient systems, including energy-efficient buildings, on-site renewable energy, greywater recycling, drought-tolerant landscaping, and passive cooling strategies to reduce climate impact and promote long-term livability. • Innovative building technologies such as modular, off-site, or 3D-printed construction, which reduce construction timelines, costs, and environmental disruption.

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City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Ultimately, our project aspires not only to deliver high-quality housing but also to model how public-private partnerships can support Santa Monica’s leadership in sustainability and resilient community development.

Financial Plan and Funding Mechanisms

4. A high-level financial plan summary outlining projected costs, revenue generation strategies, and potential funding sources. Examples of recently completed, similar projects are acceptable if they are within Southern California and contacts for those projects.

We have extensive experience underwriting, owning, financing, constructing, and operating housing projects — including student housing, workforce housing, affordable and market-rate residential developments.

Funding Strategies Will Include:
• Land purchase or Ground Lease Structure with City of Santa Monica or airport authority. • Potential for Public-private partnerships (P3s);
• BLVD capital allocation and procurement.
• State and federal affordable housing programs (LIHTC, AHSC); • Debt, equity, and alternative financing mechanisms; and • Layered financing to stretch and City resources and leverage external funding.

By working collaboratively with the City and community stakeholders, we will expedite delivery of a high-quality, sustainable housing development. The funding structure would ultimately depend on the objectives of the City of Santa Monica. The housing would provide long term revenue that would be available to the Airport conversation project. Financial considerations for the City of Santa Monica would include a parcel disposition or a long term ground lease. Other options may be master leasing the buildings once they are constructed. BLVD has experience with the structure, completing underwriting and financial analysis. BLVD has negotiated and completed Development Agreements with municipalities. We will rely on our experience to provide Santa Monica with partnership options, debt options, subsidy availabilities, and funding structures to stretch existing funding strategies.

We are happy to provide additional details on funding sources, debt considerations, tax benefits and land structure options.

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Packet Pg. 1598 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Timing & Delivery

5. A timeline for project implementation, from initial planning to completion (assuming a start date of January 1, 2029 or later).

We are committed to delivering this housing project on time and on budget through an integrated and collaborative development approach. The proposed timeline below outlines the major milestones from the initiation of planning (September 2025) through construction completion, assuming a construction start date of January 1, 2029.

Project Phase Duration Start End Key Activities
Mobilization &
Visioning 6 months Sep-25 Feb-26 Developer onboarding, community engagement, site due diligence Planning &
Entitlement 24 months Jan-26 Dec-27
Conceptual design, environmental
review (CEQA/NEPA), zoning/
entitlement approvals
Design & PreConstruction 12 months Jan-28 Dec-28
Final design, construction
documents, permitting, contractor
procurement
Construction 24 months Jan-29 Dec-30
Groundbreaking, vertical
construction, infrastructure,
inspections
Lease-Up &
Occupancy
6 months
(rolling) Jul-30 Dec-30 Phased occupancy and tenant moveins Our approach emphasizes overlapping and concurrent workflows—such as entitlements, design, and preconstruction planning—to compress the schedule wherever feasible without compromising quality. We will engage our general contractor early in the design phase to assist with value engineering, cost estimation, constructability review, and logistics planning. This collaboration allows for a faster, more coordinated project and a higher-quality built outcome.

Weekly coordination meetings among development, design, and construction teams will ensure timely decision-making and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Sustainability, Innovation & Feasibility

6. Any additional information that demonstrates the feasibility and community benefits of the proposal in alignment with the community engagement and City Council direction to date.

Sustainability, Technology, and Innovation
Housing will be designed to foster comfort, creativity, wellness, and environmental stewardship. We view sustainability as intertwined with ecology, economy, education, and community.

Our design and construction practices will:

Item 7-A
July 8, 2025
Item 7-A
July 8, 2025

7.A.j
Packet Pg. 1599 Attachment: Letter of Interest (6638 : Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) Preferred Scenarios Review (90 mins)) Letter of Intent
City of Santa Monica Airport Housing Vision 05.05.25

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Santa Monica City CouncilJuly 8, 2025

Santa Monica City Council
July 8, 2025