S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
June 2 - June 8, 2023 Volume CXCVI, Issue 197
INSIDE
Santa Monica Police Department Releases First Quarter Crime Report PAGE 4
Santa Monica Requests $6M To Expand Memorial Park The Project Would Combine the Park With a 2.9 Acre Property. By Zach Armstrong The city of Santa Monica has applied for $6 million in grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land along with the Water Conservation Fund Grant Program for the Memorial Park Expansion Project. The expansion project would combine the existing 10.3-acre Memorial Park with the adjacent 2.9 acre former Fisher Lumber site to create a renovated community park. The proposed $6 million grant would contribute to the project’s first phase, which includes a synthetic turf field for high school baseball games, adult softball games or collegiate
softball games; sixteen pickleball courts; and mobility and streetscape improvements on 14th Street and Colorado Avenue. “Expanding Memorial Park is a longstanding priority project for Santa Monica residents.” an agenda item stated. “[Memorial Park] is important to the overall park system, serving as the primary park for baseball and softball, offering a space for pickleball and tennis and being the home of the City’s only public gymnasium and skate park.” In 2019, city staff coordinated to create a phase 1 of the project at an estimated cost of $30 million. In fall 2022, staff presented a reduced scope of work for Phase 1 due to limited funding and increased construction costs, while only $20 million dedicated to park redevelopment from a Santa Monica College bond measure remained available. In March, staff identified LWCF grant funding as a potential resource for the project. The expansion project phase 1 has an estimated cost of $26 million, according to the agenda item
Mystery Surrounds Closure of Michelin Recommended Restaurant Savida in Santa Monica Santa Monica’s Beloved Crudo and Seafood Restaurant Abruptly Shuts Down on April 27 By Dolores Quintana After receiving a coveted recommendation from Michelin in December 2022, Savida,
Santa Monica’s crudo and seafood restaurant, abruptly closed its doors on April 27, 2023. There was no explanation for the closure other than a notice on their Instagram and Facebook social media pages that read, “We must sadly announce, due to unforeseen circumstances, Savida will be closed until further notice. As soon as we’re back up and running, we will let you know!” The restaurant at 1303 Montana Ave was already a favorite, not only in Santa Monica but
as evidenced by their Michelin recommendation in Los Angeles and the greater world as well. The reason for this closure is unknown, but the restaurant’s social media presence on Instagram answered a patron asking if their reservation for May 12 was canceled. The cryptic response from the social media manager was, “Not yet. We will know more at the beginning of the month.” The accounts have since fallen silent. The restaurant’s website describes the restaurant as “Artfully showcasing Chef Dan Smulovitz’s experience both in the U.S. and abroad through his signature culinary
style, Chef Smulovitz remains true to his Mediterranean roots by producing simple, multiculturally inspired dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Through Savida’s 80 sq. foot kitchen on Montana Ave., Chef Smulovitz communicates warm hospitality through each dish served, making every guest at his restaurant feel like a regular.” We reported on the chef and the restaurant with this report from Juliet Lemar on September 8, 2022, as he shopped at the local farmers market. We will update our readers when we know more about the reasons for the closure and when the restaurant will reopen.
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