Parking Lot 3 Demo Nearly Complete

Nov 21, 2024 06:14PM ● By MB News Staff

Update, Friday, November 22: The city has announced that 12th Street between Morningside and Highland (at the Lot 3 demolition site) has now been reopened.

For 53 years, Manhattan Beach hosted 139 parking metered parking spaces at the downtown-adjacent Lot 3.

No more.

The structure was deemed unsafe this summer, forcing the city to scramble to identify parking alternatives and to devise plans to replace Lot 3. (That name really sings, doesn't it? We'll miss it almost as much as the parking.)

Demolition of Lot 3 began officially on October 31, and now, just three weeks later, the massive, 3-story concrete-and-steel structure is just a memory.

On Thursday, the last segments of concrete at the ground level were being broken up, and most of the debris had been hauled away.

The demolition project, initially anticipated to take approximately 40 working days, appears to be meeting the most optimistic timelines presented by the city.

Officially, city staff said Thursday, "The demolition company is currently wrapping up the final stages of their scope of work, and the demolition and removal of the debris should be completed very soon."

Fascinating note: The city contracted for the demolition with American Wrecking, Inc., for $190,000 – much lower than other bids, including a $1.85 million bid offered by a competing contractor. According to a city engineer, the contractor identified a worksite that needs recycled concrete, so the concrete removed from Lot 3 is being crushed, and then going to another construction site to be reused.

Replacement Lot To Be Built in Early 2025

The Lot 3 site will be unused for a period of weeks, perhaps a few months, before a replacement at-grade parking lot can be built. City staff have said that new construction work will begin no sooner than January.

The new lot, which will contain about 70 spots (paid via kiosk), must be designed and permitted first. That project that is being handled in-house by city staff for efficiency's sake, but still has complexities – including the need to account for lighting, drainage and other issues.

While the at-grade lot is referred to as "temporary," city officials have conceded that it is likely to be in place for several years, while optimal uses of the former Lot 3 site are debated and planned out.

Alternative Parking Offered, Farmer's Market Relocated

The city has scrambled to add downtown-area parking spots on a near-emergency basis.

A lot just across from Vons on Valley had 7 spots added with modifications. A whole lane of traffic along Valley Drive between 13th and Manhattan Beach Blvd. was removed to create 14 metered spaces along one edge of Metlox Plaza. Sections of Valley further north, by Joslyn and Live Oak Park, have been modified to add a few dozen spaces, including many parallel to Valley. Other sections of 15th St., Manhattan Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd. have been tweaked to create spaces or add capacity.

Basically, if you're trying to park near downtown these days, you're going to see a lot of jury-rigged spots that may raise eyebrows. ("Is that really a space? Guess so!")

Meantime, the downtown Farmer's Market, held each Tuesday, has successfully adapted to its new location at the Civic Center Upper Parking Lot and Plaza at 320 15th Street.

Lot 3 Then and Now [11 Images] Click Any Image To Expand