By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

July 23, 2014 -- Santa Monica's Community and Cultural Services Department announced on Tuesday that the City has received a $2.1 million grant to build a park near the new Expo Rail line.

The grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s (HCD) “Housing-Related Parks Program” provides financial incentives to cities and counties that increase the supply of affordable housing to lower-income families, City officials said.

Cities and counties are only eligible if they have a certified Housing Element and a successful affordable  housing program.

“This grant award reflects the City’s longstanding commitment to provide a comprehensive housing program that allows Santa Monica’s diverse community to thrive,” said Andy Agle, Santa Monica’s Director of Housing and Economic Development.

Funds will be used to help pay for construction of a new 2.3-acre linear park on Exposition Boulevard, south of Stewart Street, known as the “Buffer Park”.  

The park is designed to shield the adjacent neighborhood from an Expo Light Rail maintenance yard, while "providing a new open space resource offering spaces for picnicking, exercising, children’s play, demonstration gardens and gatherings for both large and small groups," according to city officials.

Construction is expected to start in summer 2015.

“This new park, which benefited from community input on its design and functionality, will be an important addition to Santa Monica’s parks network and a high-quality amenity for the neighborhood,” said Karen Ginsberg, Santa Monica’s Director of Community and Cultural Services. 

The grant process was a collaboration between the City's various departments, including Public Works, Planning, Community & Cultural Services and Housing. 

Santa Monica’s grant amount was the fifth highest in the state, and larger than those given to cites with much larger residential bases, officials said.

"Grant amounts are determined by a formula that considers the amount of affordable housing that is created in each community, market-rate housing that is rehabilitated and dedicated as affordable housing, and the number of bedrooms in newly created affordable housing," said Agle.

Additional points are given for affordable housing developed in urbanized areas, if funds will be used for parks in disadvantaged or park-deficient communities and urbanized areas, for increases in the overall supply of affordable housing and for affordable housing that serves extremely low-income households.