SR-506-000-01 (3)
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City Council Meeting: April 4, 2000 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Changing the Names of Three
Streets: 1) the 1900 Block of Ocean Avenue to Ocean Way; 2) The
Promenade to Ocean Front Walk; and 3) Autoway to Pacific Terrace
Introduction
At its February 8, 2000 meeting, the City Council noticed a public hearing for March 28,
2000 regarding its intention to legally adopt new street names for three streets in the
beach area of Santa Monica. The accompanying resolution changes the names of 1) the
1900 block of Ocean Avenue to Ocean Way, 2) The Promenade to Ocean Front Walk, and
3) Autoway to Pacific Terrace. These name changes are recommended to eliminate
confusion and duplication with similarly-named streets.
Background
Ocean Way
Over the years, the one block stretch of Ocean Avenue from Pico Boulevard to Bay Street
has been referred to by different names. In the 1950s it was called Appian; in 1964 it was
called Ocean Avenue; in the 1980s and 1990s it was called Ocean Front Walk. Most
recently, it has been referred to as Ocean Avenue again. The current street name is a
duplication of the more well-known Ocean Avenue just east of it, which also contains 1900
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block address numbers. Ocean Avenue on the east angles southwestward to Bicknell
Avenue and continues south another three blocks (see Exhibit A). The impetus for the
street name change came from the Police who werent certain where to dispatch Police
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units when calls were for Ocean Avenue.
Ocean Front Walk
The nomenclature of the public walkway along the beachfront also leads to confusion. The
Los Angeles County Assessor's Office identifies the entire length of the walkway as The
Promenade. However, certain residents just south of the Santa Monica Pier have begun
using Ocean Front Walk as the street address. The Postmaster considers it an "alias" and
delivers mail to Ocean Front Walk residents. Furthermore, in 1989 3rd Street was
reconstructed and this popular commercial street was renamed the Third Street
Promenade. Now, when someone refers to "the Promenade" it is unclear which
Promenade is meant. During the design process for the Beach Improvement Group
(B.I.G.) Project, the City Council directed staff to address renaming The Promenade to
eliminate this confusion and to establish a single identity for the walkway.
Pacific Terrace
The unnamed autoway extending between Appian Way and Ocean Avenue at the north
side of Loews Hotel was originally developed as an alley. As a part of the development of
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Loews Hotel complex that alley was widened and reconstructed to include sidewalks and
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street lighting. It now serves as a full street and needs to be identified as such.
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Discussion
Several new names were proposed for Ocean Avenue. There are only two property
owners whose addresses are on this street, Casa del Mar Hotel and the apartment building
at 1915 Ocean Avenue. Both business owners preferred keeping ocean in the street
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name because their businesses are marketed as being at the ocean. For many years the
street sign on that street said Ocean Front Walk. Staff recommends changing the street
name to Ocean Way to retain the ocean reference point. The police and neighbors are
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comfortable with this name. For The Promenade, staff recommends renaming the stretch
of public walkway to Ocean Front Walk for continuity and clarity. Staff further recommends
naming the unnamed autoway as Pacific Terrace because it closely aligns with Pacific
Terrace west of Appian Way. In the interest of continuity and clarity, an existing street
name should be used.
Recommendation
Staff respectfully recommends that the City Council opens the public hearing, hear any
protests concerning the name changes, and adopt the accompanying resolution.
Exhibit A - Area Map
Exhibit B - Resolution
Prepared by: Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Dept.
Anthony Antich, P.E., City Engineer
Ruta Skirius, Sr. Administrative Analyst
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