City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 22, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.L
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jenny Rogers, Recreation and Arts Director, Recreation and Arts Department Subject: Authorization to Accept a $50,000 Grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for the Bay Street Beach Historical District Signage Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of $50,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund for the Bay Street Beach Historical District Signage Project in the Recreation and Arts Department, and to accept all grant renewals;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute all necessary documents required to implement the grant, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget Actions section of this report. (Requires five affirmative votes.) Summary
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded the City of Santa Monica a $50,000 African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund National Grant to support the Bay Street Beach Historical District Signage Project. The grant will fund the design, fabrication, and installation of four permanent interpretive signs commemorating the nationally significant history of Bay Street Beach Historic District, one of the few places in the United States recognized for its association with African American coastal history.
The project will expand public understanding of Santa Monica’s African American heritage by providing permanent, publicly accessible interpretation at the historic site while preserving and sharing stories that have historically been underrepresented. The City was selected through a highly competitive national grant program recognizing 2 of 4
exemplary projects that preserve and interpret African American historic places across the United States. Staff recommends that Council authorize acceptance of the grant and execution of all necessary grant documents.
Discussion
The Bay Street Beach Historic District, also known historically as “The Inkwell,” was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019 for its significance in African American history, recreation, and civil rights. From approximately 1908 through 1965, Bay Street Beach served as one of the few coastal destinations where African Americans could gather for recreation and community during an era of segregation and widespread exclusion from many Southern California beaches. The district represents an important chapter in Santa Monica’s history and the broader story of equitable access to California’s coastline.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is the nation’s largest resource dedicated to preserving African American historic places. Through a competitive national grant process, the City of Santa Monica was awarded $50,000 under the Programming and Interpretation category to implement permanent interpretation at Bay Street Beach.
Grant funds will support:
• Historical research and content development;
• Graphic design of four interpretive signs;
• Historical review to ensure cultural and historical accuracy; • Fabrication of durable outdoor interpretive signage;
• Installation of four signs throughout the Bay Street Beach Historic District; and • Public outreach and unveiling of the completed project.
The project addresses a longstanding need identified through years of community engagement, educational programming, and historic preservation efforts. While guided tours, public events, and educational programming have increased awareness of the site, there is currently no permanent on-site interpretation available to the thousands of 3 of 4
residents and visitors who use the beach each year. The installation of permanent interpretive signage will ensure that Bay Street Beach’s history remains visible and accessible for future generations while supporting educational opportunities leading into the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Project implementation is anticipated over a twelve-month period following execution of the grant agreement. Activities include consultant procurement, historical research, content development, design, fabrication, installation, public unveiling, and project evaluation.
Acceptance of this grant advances the City’s ongoing efforts to preserve Santa Monica’s cultural heritage, expand access to historically significant stories, and strengthen educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The project furthers the City’s Realignment Plan and Council priorities by investing in equitable access to cultural and historic resources, recognizing and elevating historically underrepresented communities, and strengthening opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with Santa Monica’s diverse cultural heritage.
Environmental Review
The proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines (Common Sense Exemption), as it can be seen with certainty that acceptance of grant funding and execution of grant documents will not have a significant effect on the environment. Any future physical improvements associated with the project will undergo any required environmental review prior to implementation.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant and all grant renewals from National Trust for Historic Preservation.
FY 2026-27 Grant Budget Changes
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number(s) Amount Account Number(s) Amount
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20430002.406360 $50,000 20430002.556890 $50,000
Total $50,000 Total $50,000
If renewals are awarded, budget changes will be included in subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
Prepared By: Sofia Klatzker, Cultural Affairs Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. African American Cultural Heritage Grant Award