By Ann K. Williams
Lookout Staff

July 19, 2011 – Parking Structure 6 in downtown Santa Monica has cleared one more hurdle on the way to its reconstruction, scheduled to begin next year.

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) approved the building design, colors and materials for the new 11 1/2-level Public Parking Structure 6 last Wednesday.

“The Board was quite enthusiastic about the bold and innovative design, especially the cascading staircase and the fins or sails designed to direct light into the structure,” ARB Liaison Laura Beck told The Lookout Thursday.

The proposed Second Street facade features a “glossy red” diagonal staircase to be visible from the street. The upper levels of the facade will be covered with aluminum fins that will let light into the structure's interior.

Plans for the ground floor include retail space behind clear glazing and aluminum mullions. Solar panels are planned for the lot's roof.

The rear elevation of the structure will feature a “glossy red” concrete wall behind the exterior staircase and will be the site of an as-yet unselected art installation, which may also cover the structure's side elevations. The Arts Commission will review designs for the art installation.

The signage for the structure was not included in the ARB's approval.

If the art installation completely covers the rear and side elevations of the structure, the project will go on to the next stage in its development, said Beck.

If it doesn't, the ARB will take another look at the project to ensure that that the City Council's directions are being followed, she said.

In April, the City Council overturned an earlier Planning Commission decision against the project.

Barring any setbacks, the existing 350-car parking facility on 2nd Street between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard will come down sometime around March 2012 and be replaced with a new building that will accommodate twice as many cars. Construction is expected to last 18 to 21 months.

Downtown business people have said they want the structure torn down and replaced as quickly as possible to minimize disruption in the area.