Santa Monica - 3rd Street
Location
- Downtown Santa Monica, CA
- 3rd Street
- Start: Broadway
- Finish: Wilshire
Background
3rd Street Promenade is a 3-block long pedestrian mall that is closed to vehicular traffic. It has a diverse use of street space, which brings a large number of pedestrians to this stretch of the downtown area. The current design of the street was constructed in 1989. The previous street layout was much like a 1960's open mall that allowed vehicle traffic. This type of design layout was no longer viable and caused the mall to die out.
The City of Santa Monica closed the mall off to vehicular traffic and explored the potential of using the space for more than just restaurants and shops. Vibrant landscaping, fountain statues, vendors, and live street performers have added much more atmosphere to 3rd Street than the normal outdoor pedestrian mall. These features offer something positive to everyone, making 3rd Street one of the more exciting places in the city.
According to the Senior Traffic Engineer of Santa Monica, Jamal Rahimi, “3rd Street has performed beyond expectation. It is safe, attractive, very user friendly, and promotes pedestrian activity as the primary mode of transportation.”
Notable Features
Tile Pavement
Various types of tile pavement are used for 3rd Street. The 6.1 meter (20 ft.) wide sidewalks are a red concrete square tile. The 5.8 meter (19 ft.) wide street has brown-hexagon shaped tile. These tile pavements help distinguish the sidewalk from the street so pedestrians do not trip over the curb.
Plotted Landscaping Along Sidewalks
3rd Street’s sidewalk is lined with potted plants and trees. The pots are the same color as the red concrete tile. The sidewalk also contains two rows of staggered trees. The staggered tree design provides space for vendors to set up in between the trees. Landscaping is an important feature to make sidewalks appealing for pedestrians. Streets are usually not beautiful places that people like to spend their time. But landscaping can add to the beauty of the street and make a big difference. Some sidewalks don’t have room for large landscaped planters. Potted landscaping can still add an aesthetic appeal to the street.
Dinosaur Statue Fountains
These elaborate fountains are fascinating. Usually public art is controversial, because most people like different styles of art and no one can agree on one final art design or statue. However, these dinosaur statues are not only fountains, but their bodies are made of ivy growing around a metal frame. The ivy bodies make the statues blend into the adjacent landscaping nicely.
Other Features
Classy modern lighting fixtures, street vendors, and street performers. Street Maintenance
Landscaping, fountains, and statues contribute to the street’s moderate maintenance costs.
Accident Information
Not applicable to this outdoor pedestrian mall.
Public Response
Very positive.
Transportation Philosophy of the Town
The City’s philosophy is to create a more balanced transportation system between all modes of transportation. 3rd Street’s design has definitely promoted the pedestrian mode of transportation in the downtown area.
Additional Information
The only problems that have arisen with 3rd Street are overcrowding at times and a need for better parking management. However, these “problems” are actually proof that 3rd Street is a success. Most city engineers would like to complain of too many pedestrians on their downtown streets.
Original Contact
Jamal Rahimi
Senior Traffic Engineer
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street, Room 115
Santa Monica, CA 90401-3295
(310) 458-8298
fax (310) 576-3598
This information originally compiled by Eric Spangler, 1999, as part of a senior project.
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