PRESS RELEASE: Manhattan Beach Takes Strategic Step To Purchase Downtown Property (PDF)

MANHATTAN BEACH TAKES STRATEGIC STEP TO PURCHASE DOWNTOWN PROPERTY
The City invests in the future by taking steps to acquire property

Manhattan Beach, CA (March 26, 2025) – The City of Manhattan Beach is pleased to announce that it is taking steps to acquire a prime downtown property at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The sale is expected to close on April 15, 2025.

City Council authorized staff to pursue purchase of the property in closed session. Further discussion of this item is scheduled for April 1, 2025, at the Regular City Council meeting. Additionally, City staff will be conducting a community engagement session in the coming months to gather input from the public and share preliminary options regarding the property’s potential uses prior to consideration of early plans by the City Council.

The property, located in the heart of downtown Manhattan Beach, represents a forward-thinking investment that aligns with the City’s vision for economic resilience and community enhancement.

“We are not just purchasing land; we are investing in the future of Manhattan Beach, creating a public benefit and opportunities that will serve our community for generations to come,” said Mayor Amy Thomas Howorth.

“The purchase of this property would allow Manhattan Beach to thoughtfully balance economic growth through the creation of sustainable revenue-generating development with the preservation of our community-centered coastal character,” said City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian.

The City’s decision to pursue acquisition of the property was driven by several critical objectives:

1. Strategic Location: Situated in downtown Manhattan Beach, the property offers exceptional potential for targeted development that complements Manhattan Beach’s character and urban landscape.
2. Community Benefits: The acquisition would enable the creation of public spaces, potential community facilities, or amenities that directly serve residents’ needs and enhance the quality of life in our vibrant coastal community.
3. Preservation of Local Character: Upon close of escrow, the City would be better positioned to ensure that any future development of this site would respect and maintain the unique essence that defines Manhattan Beach.
4. Revenue Generation: The strategically located property presents opportunities for carefully planned development that can generate sustainable revenue streams for municipal services.
5. Long-Term Value Investment: By pursuing acquisition of this property, Manhattan Beach is making a prudent investment in its future, creating potential for appreciating asset value and supporting the City’s long-term economic resilience.

Thank you for your interest in participating in Project Pulse, as the City explores redevelopment options for Parking Lot 3 (12th and Morningside Drive) and 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (formerly the US Bank building).

In Spring 2025, City staff initiated a planning effort called "Project Pulse" to coordinate synergistic redevelopment of both downtown properties. The City is now conducting a comprehensive community engagement and visioning process through July 2026 to gather public input on the redevelopment plans. City Council is expected to make a decision on future uses in August 2026. 

One of the opportunities for community members to provide their input will be focus groups. 

These focus group meetings will be conducted during December 2025.The registration is now closed. 

Join us for the Project Pulse Study Session on Tuesday, August 26 at 5:00 PM at City Hall.

We’ll discuss the future of the Parking Lot 3 site (Morningside Drive and 12th Street) and 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and gather your ideas on how these spaces can best serve our community.

For more information, please contact the Planning Division at planning@manhattanbeach.gov

Community Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Future of Lot 3 and 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard

The City of Manhattan Beach invites residents to a community meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Manhattan Heights Park Community Center, located at 1600 Manhattan Beach Boulevard. The meeting will focus on future plans for Lot 3 and the recently acquired site at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (southeast corner of Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Morningside Drive) in downtown Manhattan Beach.

Lot 3, a key downtown parking structure, has been closed since last summer, impacting local parking availability. In response, the City has implemented temporary measures, including adding 56 new parking spaces around downtown and 26 spaces at the recently acquired lot at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Lot 3 is currently under construction to create a single-level parking area with 70 spaces. Combined, these measures will provide a total of 152 parking spaces, which is more than the previous Lot 3 parking structure.

400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, the former U.S. Bank site, was purchased by the City on April 15, 2025, with the intention of creating public spaces with potential community facilities, or amenities that directly serve residents’ needs and enhance the quality of life in our vibrant coastal community, while balancing our local character and potentially creating opportunities for carefully planned development that can generate sustainable revenue streams for municipal services.

The community meeting aims to gather public input on the redevelopment of these sites, aligning with the General Plan’s goals of enhancing parking, streetscapes, and small business viability.

For more information, please contact the Planning Division at planning@manhattanbeach.gov