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. 

OPEN HOUSE: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PREVIEW

Wednesday, July 15th
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Joslyn Community Center
1601 North Valley Drive
Manhattan Beach

The City and Gensler, the City’s design consultant, hosted two Project Pulse community design workshops at Joslyn Center on Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st. These community design charettes collected specific community input that will help inform the conceptual designs for both the Parking Lot 3 and 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard sites.

Over 70 community members attended and provided feedback through five types of in-person activity stations. One notable station allowed community members to use three-dimensional blocks to create physical designs for the sites that incorporated their preferred mix of uses. The workshop format enabled community members to have longer, more in-depth discussions with City and Gensler staff. The community input at each of the stations was recorded for use in the development of conceptual designs for the sites to go along with information previously gathered at meetings, community outreach booths, and surveys sent out by the City.

This in-person Open House event is the next step in Project Pulse where the community will get to see conceptual designs for public feedback. We invite you to attend and provide your input. This is the last Project Pulse community event.

After this open house, the preliminary designs will be refined and conceptual design packages will be presented for consideration and final direction at a City Council meeting in the next few months.

All are welcome and we hope to see you there!

Have a say in the future of two City-owned downtown properties

The City of Manhattan Beach is bringing the planning process to you — and your input could help shape two key sites in the heart of downtown:

• 1155 Morningside Drive (Parking Lot 3)
• 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (former U.S. Bank building)

Since the fall, the City has been collecting community input on potential future uses, and City Council has been narrowing down the list. The City is hosting a pair of free community design workshops during the last weekend in May, open to all residents and community members. No registration required — simply drop in at either session and share your vision for these sites.

• Workshop 1 — Saturday, May 30, 2026, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Workshop 2 — Sunday, May 31, 2026, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Joslyn Community Center, 1601 North Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach

Light refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Project Pulse: Downtown MB Update

The City of Manhattan Beach continues to advance planning efforts for the future of two key downtown properties:

• 1155 Morningside Drive (Parking Lot 3)
• 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (former U.S. Bank building)

An update on this Project Pulse initiative is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on:

🗓 Tuesday, April 21, 2026
🕒 6:00 PM
📍 City Council Chambers, 1400 Highland Avenue
💻 Also available via Zoom

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the City Council and community to review progress to-date and discuss next steps in this process to decide the future uses for both City-owned properties. Community members are encouraged to attend in-person or participate remotely and provide public comment. 

No final decisions will be made at this meeting.

How to Participate:

1. ELECTRONIC COMMENTS (ecomment/email) PRIOR TO THE MEETING
   The City offers different opportunities to participate in Council meetings. The City Council encourages the public to participate by submitting comments in advance of the meeting, no later than 12:00 PM, the day of the meeting, via:
   1. eComment at www.manhattanbeach/gov/ecomment
   2. email to cityclerk@manhattanbeach.gov
      All of your comments provided by the deadlines above will be available to the City Council and the public prior to the meeting.
2. IN PERSON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
   You may also give your input on agenda items in-person. At the beginning of the meeting, or just before the agenda item, please complete the
   1. “Request to Address the City Council” card by filling out your name, city of residence, the item(s) you would like to offer public comment, and
   2. returning it to the City Clerk.
3. ZOOM PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
   Please note, the City is not responsible for the public’s use of Zoom as it relates to the software, configuration, and setting on a personal device. The public is encouraged to visit the Zoom website for information on use of this software. The City’s use of Zoom is consistent with the platform features and functions as described on the Zoom website.
   1. Join Zoom Meeting via the internet:
      Direct URL: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1601321409
      Meeting ID: 160 132 1409
      During the meeting, you will need to use the “raise hand” button through Zoom at the time the Agenda Item is being presented for City Council consideration.
   2. Join Zoom Meeting via Phone Conference (Voice Only):
      Phone Number: (669) 900-6833
      Meeting ID: 160 132 1409
      During the meeting you will need to enter *9 on the phone’s dial pad at the time the Agenda Item is being presented for City Council consideration.

For more information on City Council meetings, check out the City Council Meetings and Agenda's page.

We encourage community members to get involved and help shape the future of downtown Manhattan Beach. 

You’re Invited: Help Shape the Future of Two Downtown Properties

The City of Manhattan Beach invites you to participate in an upcoming Planning Commission Study Session to discuss potential long-term redevelopment options for two City-owned downtown properties:

• 1155 Morningside Drive (Parking Lot 3)
• 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (former U.S. Bank building)

🗓 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM
📍 City Council Chambers, 1400 Highland Avenue
💻 Also available via Zoom

Over the past several months, the City has gathered community input and narrowed down potential redevelopment options. At this meeting, staff will discuss updated concepts and seek feedback from both the Planning Commission and the public.

This is an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share your thoughts on how these important downtown properties could be used in the future.

How to Participate:

• Attend in person at City Council Chambers
• Join via Zoom (registration details will be included in the meeting agenda posted by Friday, March 6, 2026)
• Submit written comments in advance (by March 4, 2026, to be included in the agenda packet)
• The staff report will also be available on the City’s website by March 6, 2026.

We encourage community members to get involved and help shape the future of downtown Manhattan Beach. 

We have two unique opportunities to improve Downtown MB, and we want your voice in the conversation!

You are invited to participate as the Manhattan Beach City Council resumes their discuss ionon the future uses for two City-owned properties in downtown Manhattan Beach at the upcoming City Council Meeting.

• Parking Lot 3 (1155 Morningside Drive)
• 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (former U.S. Bank)

Tuesday, January 20, 2026
6:00PM
City Council Chambers, 1400 Highland Avenue
Attend in person or via Zoom.

The discussion will focus on community feedback collected so far and possible long-term uses.

No final decisions will be made at this meeting.

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