As development planning around the Expo Line (phase one expected to open in 2011 or 2012, and phase two around 2015) begins in earnest, some Westsiders are preparing for battle. Today's edition of the Santa Monica Daily Press contained a short announcement on an upcoming planning commission meeting that will look at a proposed mixed-use development near the Expo Line stop at Bergamot Village. Regarding the 969,000 square foot Bergamot Transit Village, the article states: "The mega-development will have far-reaching, irreversible impacts on both the Mid-City and the Pico neighborhoods. This is a great opportunity to voice your thoughts on the proposal." Coincidentally or not, on the left side of the same newspaper page is a letter to the editor blasting the transit village and saying that section of Santa Monica is already overbuilt. This comes after a December SMDP story that referred to the proposed development as "massive"--neighbors are concerned about the traffic generated by the transit village, which would contain a 71-foot tall building that's being proposed by Houston developer Hines. Anyway, expect a raucous planning meeting: it's 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Council chambers. [Transit village rendering via Friends4Expo]
· Santa Monica Daily Press [Official Site--PDF]
· Expo Line Brings Develoment, Santa Monicans Worry [Curbed LA]
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