Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project secures $10 million state grant

By The Malibu Times · Wed Jul 29 2026

The Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project (SMACP) has been awarded a $10 million Proposition 4 Climate Bond grant from the State of California, marking a significant milestone in efforts to repurpose the historic airport site into expansive public green space.

The grant, part of Proposition 4’s broader $10 billion investment in climate resilience, natural resource protection, and community access to nature, will support feasibility studies, environmental reviews, and early planning for converting approximately 192 acres of underutilized airport land into a vibrant metropolitan park.

Senator Ben Allen, author of Proposition 4 and former chair of the Senate Natural Resources budget subcommittee, praised the investment. “I am so excited about this transformative state investment that will improve our city and region for the better,” Allen said. “It recognizes the ability nature and recreational spaces have to improve the health and well-being of the surrounding communities. The scale of this park would provide a generational change that our residents will benefit from long into the future, and I appreciate Santa Monica’s leadership that is helping provide this opportunity for local families." Proposition 4, approved by California voters in November 2024, funds a wide range of community resilience projects focused on natural resource preservation, water quality improvement, wildfire prevention, clean air initiatives, and expanded outdoor recreation. The SMACP aligns closely with these priorities by creating new parkland in a densely populated urban area with limited green space access.

Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis highlighted the project’s long-term vision. “This $10 million award is a meaningful step toward realizing what Santa Monica has long envisioned for this land,” Torosis said. “The airport conversion gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something lasting: new open space, restored habitat, and infrastructure that will serve residents for decades to come. Opportunities like this are rare, and we are grateful to Senator Ben Allen for his leadership and partnership in securing this investment in Santa Monica’s future.” The proposed park aims to deliver much-needed recreational opportunities to Westside residents, including sports fields, cultural and arts programming, habitat restoration, and enhanced conservation efforts. Planners envision trails, gathering spaces, and environmental education areas that would serve thousands of families while improving local air quality and urban biodiversity.

The $10 million grant strengthens the city’s ability to attract additional public and private funding. Officials plan to use the resources to complete critical environmental impact studies and feasibility assessments required to advance the land conversion process. The project has garnered broad community support over the years, with many residents advocating for the shift from aviation use to public parkland amid declining airport operations.

This latest development builds on years of community dialogue and planning. The Santa Monica Airport, which dates back to the 1920s and once served as a hub for aviation innovation, has seen reduced commercial activity in recent decades. Converting portions of the site into park space has emerged as a priority to address environmental justice concerns and meet growing demand for accessible outdoor areas in Los Angeles County, where many neighborhoods fall below recommended park acreage per capita.

City leaders say the grant represents not only financial support but also strong state-level validation of Santa Monica’s vision. Further funding rounds and detailed design phases are expected in the coming months as the project moves forward.