Santa Monica Boulevard Committee Public Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday

The Santa Monica Boulevard Blue Ribbon Committee will hold a third public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8 to continue the process of collecting public input on elements to be included in the Santa Monica Boulevard Reconstruction Project.

The project, scheduled to begin in 2015, will involve a full reconstruction of North Santa Monica Boulevard and including upgrading the century-old drainage system
and other much-needed street improvements along the entire stretch within Beverly Hills.

Click here for an interview with Aaron Kunz, the city's transportation director, about the project.

The 15-member Blue Ribbon Committee, appointed by the Beverly Hills City Council, will meet at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Gallery, on the second floor of Beverly Hills City Hall to continue discussions.

So far, two public meetings and two mobile tours have been held and well attended by Beverly Hills residents, members of the biking community and other interested citizens. At the last two meetings, consultants presented possible scenarios for changes to the roadway, including bicycle lanes and landscaped medians.

For details on proposals and meeting notes, go to www.beverlyhills.org/SMBLVD. Following the public outreach process, the committee will provide recommendations to the City Council, which will make the final decision on types of amenities to be included in the project.

Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting, or provide comments and suggestions through the city’s  webpage www.beverlyhills.org/SMBLVD .

You can also email SMBLVD@beverlyhills.org, phone the hotline (310) 285-1092 or send a written letter to City of Beverly Hills, Community Development Department-Transportation, and 445 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.