A Bold, Sustainable Solution for Santa Monica Airport

December 12, 2024 - Santa Monica is at a crossroads, and the choices we make in the coming months will shape our city's future for decades. The airport property, long slated for closure by December 31, 2028, is a prime example of how complex and urgent our challenges have become. On one hand, our city grapples with a massive budget crisis-hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred maintenance, settlement obligations, and pension costs, all exacerbated by the pandemic's lingering financial strain. On the other, we face immense environmental and public safety challenges, including the skyrocketing threat of wildfires and the need for resilient infrastructure in the face of climate change.

As plans stand, the land currently occupied by the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is destined to be converted into park space-a vision many of us admire in principle. But the brutal truth is that we simply don't have the funds to realize this aspiration. The soil cleanup alone-after nearly a century of aviation-related toxins-is a nine-figure endeavor. Then consider that building and maintaining a large-scale park will cost hundreds of millions more. Given the city's fiscal constraints, coupled with a critical shortage of capital for long-term upkeep, forging ahead with a public park is not just unrealistic, it's a recipe for dilapidation and disappointment.

Raising taxes further to cover the costs is untenable-Santa Monicans already shoulder a heavy burden, and any additional levy would be neither politically nor economically feasible. Housing development on the site would face fierce community resistance and add long-term strains to city services, especially given our existing infrastructure and budgetary woes. We need a solution that addresses our financial crisis, mitigates environmental risks, and enhances public safety.

The answer is to sell the airport property outright to the State of California or enter into a very long-term lease at market rate, and repurpose SMO as a dedicated emergency response airport. Such an initiative would be a win-win-win for Santa Monica, our region, and the state.

Here's how:

Financial Stability for Santa Monica:

The state, with the support of federal agencies like FEMA, has far more capacity to fund large-scale projects. By selling the property to the state for hundreds of millions of dollars or leasing the property at market rate, Santa Monica can inject this much-needed capital directly into our depleted coffers. This revenue could close budget gaps, eliminate the need for future tax hikes, and free us to responsibly fund critical infrastructure improvements citywide.

Accelerated Cleanup and Environmental Remediation:

The State of California, with federal support and the ability to spread costs over a larger tax base, is far better positioned to handle the intensive remediation needed at the former airport site. Specialists can ensure toxins are properly removed, and the land can be transformed into an environmentally safe operational hub. Rather than Santa Monica struggling for decades to secure cleanup funds, the state can mobilize quickly and efficiently.

A Firefighting and Emergency Response Hub to Protect Our Region:

We've seen the devastation wildfires can wreak, including the recent Franklin Fire in Malibu. California's worsening climate conditions mean these emergencies will only intensify. By establishing SMO as an emergency airport, we can house a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters, poised to launch 24/7 "shock and awe" responses the moment a fire is detected. With rapid deployment times, such an installation could dramatically reduce the spread of wildfires, save lives, and protect property across Los Angeles County.

Lower Insurance Rates and Enhanced Public Safety:

As insurers face greater wildfire risks, premiums have skyrocketed in many communities. A dedicated firefighting and emergency response center here could reassure insurers of the region's readiness and responsiveness, potentially stabilizing or even lowering rates. Beyond fire suppression, a state-managed emergency airport could also support rapid responses to earthquakes, floods, and other disasters. Santa Monicans-and Angelenos at large-would benefit from enhanced public safety infrastructure at their doorstep.

Political Feasibility and National Support:

The next presidential administration and FEMA are likely to support innovative, preventive approaches to wildfire management. California's leadership, already committed to addressing climate emergencies, would be a willing partner. This approach aligns perfectly with state and federal disaster preparedness priorities-earning us not only the goodwill of higher authorities but also access to matching funds and grants.

Instead of sinking deeper into debt or sacrificing precious resources to maintain a vision we can't afford, let's transform the Santa Monica Airport property into a forward-looking resource that protects our people, our homes, and our economy. Selling SMO to the state for the creation of a permanent emergency airport hub is the pragmatic, visionary approach we need right now.

This is not a compromise; it's a strategic investment in our future. The new City Council faces a steep learning curve and difficult decisions. I urge them to consider this solution-one that secures our fiscal stability, bolsters our emergency readiness, curtails the threat of wildfires, and ultimately safeguards the well-being of every resident. Let's seize this moment and create a legacy that future generations will thank us for.