The 107-year-old Santa Monica Airport in California is set to close at the end of 2028, following decades of complaints from local residents. The 227-acre site, which primarily serves small private planes, will be transformed into a large park.
The airport, located five miles north of Los Angeles International Airport, has been in operation since at least 1919. It was home to the Douglas Aircraft Company, which manufactured transport planes and bombers during World War II, at its peak employing 44,000 people.
Regulations restricting airport operations began in the 1970s to protect neighbours' quality of life. In the 1990s, residents sued over health impacts and nuisance. In 2014, a ballot measure passed with 60% support, prohibiting new development on the land except for parks and open spaces.
A 2017 settlement with the Federal Aviation Administration allowed the city to close the airport after December 31, 2028. The city has since consulted locals on the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project, releasing a draft Framework Diagram last week outlining eight districts, including 'Immersive Nature' and 'The Heart' for social and cultural activities.
Residents have until April 26 to provide feedback on the plans via an online survey.
