Downtown Santa Monica Stakeholders Optimistic

The outlook for downtown Santa Monica is good but not great, according to a recent stakeholder survey that was presented on Thursday morning. The presentation was part of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.’s larger Annual Meeting, during which the previous fiscal year is publicly reviewed.

Sixty percent of stakeholders who were surveyed said they were optimistic about the future of downtown Santa Monica. Also, they said they were very satisfied with the services—ranging from ambassador programs to graffiti removal—provided by Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., which manages services and operations in that part of the city.

Santa Monica's visitor services also got high marks in a survey that involved mystery shoppers evaluating downtown Santa Monica. and landscaping were highly approved by the shoppers as well.

Even if the outlook could be stronger for downtown, progress is being made, according to the survey. Stakeholders said they're more satisfied with the economic strength, look and cleanliness of downtown Santa Monica compared with last year. Safety and the maintenance of parking structures still need to be improved, however, they said.

Also at the meeting, which was held at the , Denver's forward-thinking Living Streets Initiative was discussed. Ideas on how new street concepts could improve transportation, community development and environmental quality were presented by keynote speakers Crissy Fanganello, director of Policy & Planning for the Denver Department of Public Works; and Anna Jones, vice president of Progressive Urban Management Associates.

Santa Monica Mayor ; City Manager Rod Gould; and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. CEO Kathleen Rawson also spoke at the meeting.

Other 2010-11 highlights that were presented at the year-in-review included:

• The rebranding of the Bayside District Corporation as Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

• The securing and managing of 150-plus outdoor events and filmings downtown

• The installation of almost 200 new bike racks

• The creation of the Downtown Ride, a shuttle that facilitates passage of the Big Blue Bus between the parking area and downtown

• Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.'s awarding of two $5,000 grants local nonprofits  and