Santa Monica Construction Update: March 2012

This is the latest update from the city's “Be Excited! Be Prepared” campaign about public construction projects happening across Santa Monica:

• Rebuild of Downtown Parking Structure 6: Downtown Parking Structure 6 closed in mid-February for reconstruction. The 350-space structure located at 1431 2nd St. is being torn down and rebuilt in the same location with over twice the current number of parking spaces, plus new bike racks, retail space, solar panels and public art. The structure is now being gradually demolished from the top down, a process that is estimated to take roughly two months. After that, rebuilding will begin and construction will last until late 2013. All other downtown parking structures are operating normally during construction. Additional parking information and real-time parking availability at smgov.net/parking  
• Expo Preps for Construction: Pre-construction work for the light rail is ongoing. Building demolition on the south side of Colorado Avenue between 18th and 16th Streets is now complete. Temporary traffic control video cameras are currently being installed on traffic poles at numerous intersections along the Expo route. Utility relocations are starting now. Construction related to a sewer relocation along Colorado Ave between 14th Court and 17th Court will begin in mid-April. Follow twitter.com/ExpoinSM or facebook.com/SMConstructs for the latest construction information.  
• Ocean Park Boulevard Becomes "Complete Green Street": From Nielson Way to Lincoln Boulevard, Ocean Park will be transformed so that it's pedestrian and bicycle-oriented and landscaped. It will also provides several environmental benefits, such as capturing urban run-off. The range of improvements includes wider sidewalks, the addition of more than 100 new trees, more visible crosswalks, pedestrian lighting and more. Construction started in December 2011, and is on track. The first phase of construction on the south side of the street is mostly complete. In early April, work will begin on the north side, where a water infiltration basin will be installed near Ocean Park and Main Street to help capture urban runoff. For more informaiton, visit SMConstructs.org/OPB.
• breaks ground: The Village at Santa Monica is a mixed-use, mixed-income community that is under construction in Santa Monica’s Civic Center area. Related California, the developer, is building 160 affordable rental units and 158 luxury condominiums, 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurants and walkable plazas and gardens on the 3-acre site. Construction is underway, and is anticipated to last roughly two years. More information is available at villageatsantamonica.com.  
• Traffic Signals are  Improved: The Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) project is in its fourth phase. This phase will connect 40 signal-controlled intersections along Arizona Avenue, the Office District on Ocean Park Boulevard, and Mid-City areas to the city’s centralized control system with fiber optic cables.  This will require installation of new conduit, largely underneath city sidewalks in the affected areas. At some intersections, new traffic signals will be installed. Work is currently underway, and you may see crews along Broadway, Colorado, Olympic and Cloverfield. Construction is expected to be completed later this year, and affected areas will receive specific notices when work is planned in their areas. Find out more at smconstructs.org
• 3rd Court Water Main Is Replaced: Behind the Promenade, the portion between Wilshire Boulevard and Arizona Avenue is complete. Work is now underway on the two blocks between Broadway and Arizona, with project completion targeted for the end of May. Temporary lane closures are possible. Sign up for traffic alerts at smalerts.net 
• Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Improves its Campuses: The school district is modernizing and building at several campuses around town, including Lincoln Middle, John Adams Middle School, Santa Monica High School and the Edison Language Academy. For more information, visit their web site at fip.smmusd.org/

Keep an eye out for more activity in coming months. The Civic Center parks will begin construction any day now, and infrastructure improvements along 20th Street and Cloverfield are scheduled to start construction in May.