Local property owners are continuing calls for increased oversight on the Third Street Promenade to curb the growing number of individuals who camp out in public elevators and garages.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/property-owners-call-for-action-on-homelessness-ahead-of-next-weeks-study-session/201994

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Santa Monica presents its annual, State of the City on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. from the Zoom podium.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2021/02/16/2021-state-of-the-city-our-community-road-to-recovery-summit

Santa Monica is taking a tougher stance against landlords who have ignored the eviction moratorium and aggressively tried to force out long-term tenants during the pandemic.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2021/02/17/news/city-attorney-sues-sm-landlord-who-allegedly-tried-to-evict-long-term-tenants-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/5314.html

In December 2020, through a supplement to Santa Monica’s local COVID-19 emergency, Boards and Commissions were invited to resume their meetings through teleconference on a quarterly basis through June 2021. 

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/an-update-on-santa-monica-boards-and-commissions

Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they're forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2021/02/15/real-estate/3-reasons-were-definitely-not-in-a-housing-bubble/5307.html

Since The We Are Santa Monica Fund was created in spring 2020, more than $1.1 million has been donated to the cause; and now, city leaders must determine how to equitably allocate the funding in the future.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/council-creates-we-are-santa-monica-fund-advisory-board/201960

On February 12, Assembly Member Frank Bigelow introduced Assembly Bill 664 to suspend annual tax payments for small businesses. The bill would amend Sections 17935, 17941, 17948, and 19001, and add Section 19001.5 to the Revenue and Taxation Code. This measure contains an urgency clause and would take effect immediately upon enactment if passed by 2/3 of both houses of the Legislature.

Read More: https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/new-bill-to-suspend-annual-tax-payments-for-small-business/

The City of Santa Monica is looking to introduce a new policy that would allow historically-displaced residents a chance to return to the neighborhoods of their ancestors.

Earlier this month, local leaders called on the community to provide input on the possibility of adding a new “Right to Return” criteria to the city’s Below Market Housing program, a local initiative that provides Santa Monica residents and workers with apartments in the private sector at a rent that is lower than market rate.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/commission-pushes-right-to-return-proposal-to-council/201934

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Santa Monica, will host the annual State of the City on Wednesday February 24th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

Read More: http://smchamber.com/stateofthecity/

This week the City Council started discussing the next move for the Santa Monica Promenade, our beleaguered and onetime downtown city jewel. Beset by collapsing sales, contagious vacancies, safety and sanitation issues, the onetime city jewel has lost its luster. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2021/02/sma-r-t-column-the-promenade-leaving-the-past-to-reimagine-its-future/