Narrow sidewalks, few trees, crumbling asphalt, dilapidated buildings. Not a grand boulevard. 

But Lincoln Boulevard’s new urban design toolkit for pedestrian-oriented placemaking builds on the site’s history as the terminus for the famous Route 66, and includes landscaping, signage, paving, lighting and pedestrian engagement features.

After Los Angeles County Metro expanded its Expo Light Rail line to Santa Monica, a series of new transit-oriented developments started coming online. That led the local business improvement district—Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM)—to expand its boundaries to encompass Lincoln and serve as the eastern edge to downtown.

The new toolkit has already led to two-dozen projects that DTSM can implement over the next decade as streetlife activity along Lincoln Boulevard—specifically between Wilshire Boulevard and the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10)—becomes more vibrant. Projects include new graphics and wayfinding programs, bulb-outs and expansions of the pedestrian realm, signature gateways, medians and green alleys and accessibility improvements. 

The DTSM Board of Directors approved the final beautification document in early 2022. Plans for implementing the outlined projects are going on now!