Downtown Parking Lot 3 'Unsafe,' Fully Closed
Jul 31, 2024 10:58AM ● By Mb News Staff
A month after the city of Manhattan Beach shut down the top level of the centrally located, downtown parking structure known as "Lot 3," now the entire structure is closed.
The multi-level structure was built in 1971, well before modern building codes that include crucial seismic safety measures. It has been monitored regularly by city engineers, who determined in June that the third level had significant structural issues and "degradation" and should be closed "out of an abundance of caution."
Tuesday evening, the city announced that the entire structure was "unsafe," and closed it. From the city's press release:
"After further review with consulting engineers to assess the existing condition of the structure, it was determined to be unsafe in its current condition and should be kept off limits to people and vehicles. As a result of this assessment, the parking structure is closed effective immediately."

The shuttle bus, however, was announced as a summertime option, and the U.S. Bank spots are only available as public spots when the bank is closed. (See more details on each parking option below.)

The multi-level structure was built in 1971, well before modern building codes that include crucial seismic safety measures. It has been monitored regularly by city engineers, who determined in June that the third level had significant structural issues and "degradation" and should be closed "out of an abundance of caution."
Tuesday evening, the city announced that the entire structure was "unsafe," and closed it. From the city's press release:
"After further review with consulting engineers to assess the existing condition of the structure, it was determined to be unsafe in its current condition and should be kept off limits to people and vehicles. As a result of this assessment, the parking structure is closed effective immediately."

The city has stated repeatedly that Lot 3 "is anticipated to undergo a full redesign and new construction." But when it might come down or be replaced is a long-term question. City officials have not yet hinted as to whether any retrofits or temporary fixes could allow Lot 3 to reopen at all, though some announcements have said the structure has been "prioritized for work."
Instead, scrambling to replace some of the 139 metered parking spots now offered at Lot 3, located at the corner of Morningside and 12th St., the city has announced a (very convenient!) shuttle bus that runs from Pacific Elementary to two stops downtown (see MB News' story here), and the creation of 2-hour public parking spots in the parking lot behind U.S. Bank at 400 Manhattan Beach Blvd. (off of Morningside Drive).The shuttle bus, however, was announced as a summertime option, and the U.S. Bank spots are only available as public spots when the bank is closed. (See more details on each parking option below.)

Shuttle Bus Information
A city-sponsored shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes on Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Friday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.There are three stops for the bus: Pacific Elementary School (1200 Pacific Avenue), 10th Street and Manhattan Avenue, and City Hall (1400 Highland Avenue).
Shuttle bus riders may use designated parking spots at Pacific Elementary with five-hour limited parking available. (Downtown workers with Lot 1, 2, and M Permit holders are exempt from the five-hour limit.)
Shuttle bus riders may use designated parking spots at Pacific Elementary with five-hour limited parking available. (Downtown workers with Lot 1, 2, and M Permit holders are exempt from the five-hour limit.)

U.S. Bank 'Public' Parking Spots
A parking lot behind U.S. Bank at 400 Manhattan Beach Blvd. now has 2-hour public parking spots available (enter on Morningside Drive).
The two-hour parking spots are available Monday through Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.; and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Lot M, 1, and 2 permit holders are allowed during public hours only. At all other times, the parking lot is 30-minute parking for bank customers only.


Parking available behind the US Bank building in downtown Manhattan Beach. Photo via city of Manhattan Beach.