Help Shape the Future of Santa Monica Pier

The city says it wants to draw residents back to the tourist-favorite Santa Monica Pier, and give them the chance to share their ideas for its future.

It's hosting the first annual Santa Monica Pier Open House 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27 on the pier deck lot. The event is billed as an "interactive public outreach session" that will give "stakeholders the opportunity to share their stories, concerns and ideas regarding pier operations and planning for the future."

Spokeswoman Kori Jones, from the Office of Pier Management, said the open house will become a yearly tradition "to draw residents that probably haven't visited in a while."

Programs start at 10 a.m. and include guided walking tours every half hour and historic presentations at 15 minutes past the hour with the last session at 1:15 p.m. Focus groups will meet every 30 minutes.

Throughout the day, visitors can record their stories about the pier in a video booth, ride the carousel for free, visit exhibit booths to learn about city projects and snack on refreshments while listening to music.

The newly-installed pier Restoration Corp. Board of Directions is in the midst of a two-year public "Pier Visioning Process" and is .

New Leaders Named to Santa Monica Pier

The new board members are working to open a museum and carousel gift shop and visitor center, develop an app for tourists seeking information about the pier and install new directional signs.

The public an weigh in by visiting a new website, santamonicatownhall.org.

See also:

City Cements Rusty's Place on Santa Monica Pier

Major Changes Ahead for Santa Monica Pier