Locals have had a contentious relationship with Santa Monica Airport over noise and pollution concerns. Those concerns have finally bore out as the city of Santa Monica has now reached a deal with the FAA to shut down the airport by December 31, 2028.

By making a deal, it effectively ends dozens of outstanding court cases between the city and FAA. It also means Santa Monica can start thinking about the long-gestating idea to turn the 227-acre property into a public park. The 8.3-acre Airport Park is already located in the southeast corner of the Airport and features a soccer field, open green space, and off-leash dog area. Some of the proposed park expansions include adding multiple sports fields, community gardens, and children's play areas, amongst other features.

Airport Park rendering via Airport 2 Park

In the meantime, the airport's runway will be reduced from 5,000 feet down to 3,500 feet. That is meant to reduce jet traffic and commercial charters as business slowly begins to wind down. As for what happens to some of the buildings and hangers on the property, some of which are considered historic, that's sure to be a conversation to come.

Because it's surrounded on multiple sides by residential neighborhoods, the airport has been a hinderance for many years for those looking to buy or sell homes in the region. With a future that includes far less jet noise and potential pollution, expect to see local prices to creep up more and more as we get closer to the closure. Couple in the possibility of a massive in-city green space and the region could end up becoming something on a new activity hub for Los Angeles a decade from now. 

Sources: 

Santa Monica Airport to Shutter in 2028 [ULA]

Three Visions for Santa Monica's Airport Park Expansion [ULA]