City of Santa Monica Opens Colorado Esplanade and Hosts First Open Streets Event--Coast, Presented by Metro--on June 5th

Colorado Esplanade opens with ribbon cutting by Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez followed by the kickoff of Coast.

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Jun 05, 2016, 04:36 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

WHEN:
Sunday, June 5, 2016
8:45 a.m. PDT Colorado Esplanade ribbon cutting by Mayor Tony Vazquez
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PDT Coast, Presented by Metro

Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Colorado Esplanade, a new pedestrian and bikeway connecting the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station to the Santa Monica Pier. Also photographed (left to right): Assistant City Manager, Elaine Polachek; Construction Manager, Gene Higginbotham; Councilmember Sue Himmelrich; Councilmember Kevin McKeown; Councilmember Gleam Davis; Mayor Tony Vazquez; Mayor Pro Tempore, Ted Winterer; Councilmember Terry O'Day; Metro Executive Officer...

Two participants show off their custom bikes at the Colorado Esplanade opening just before the kickoff of Coast 2016 alongside Santa Monica's Breeze Bike Share. Santa Monica, California. June 5, 2016. Photographer: Kristina Sado

WHAT:
Coast, presented by Metro, invites everyone to enjoy approximately two miles of car-free streets around the Downtown Santa Monica Expo station on Sunday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while discovering local food, music, shops, culture, dance, and games along the route.

The Colorado Esplanade was opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony by Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez who remarked on the significance of this moment for the City's future as a sustainable, transit-oriented community focused on wellbeing. The Colorado Esplanade runs from 4th Street to Ocean Avenue, and was designed to connect the Downtown Santa Monica Expo station, Tongva Park, and the Santa Monica Pier, creating a seamless walk or bike ride from the station to the beach. It features 25-foot wide sidewalks with yellow and black wave-like pavers, and yellow poles with string lights that beautifully frame the historic Pier.

The City of Santa Monica just launched GoSaMo, an integrated marketing campaign to excite, educate and get those who live and work in Santa Monica to try new mobility options, including Santa Monica's three new Expo light rail stations, six new Big Blue Bus routes, 500 Breeze Bikes at 75 stations, 107 miles of bikeways, and Zipcar, a car share service with over 30 vehicles in Santa Monica available for as little as $6/hour.

WHERE:
Pedestrian and bicycle access for Coast will be provided along Main Street from Marine to Colorado, Colorado from Ocean to 5th Street, and along Ocean from Colorado to Wilshire.

QUOTE: "Come to Santa Monica for Coast and experience our city like a local on foot or by bike," said Santa Monica Mayor Tony Vazquez. "Get here on the new Expo Line or on Big Blue Bus to enjoy a car-free day along two miles of open streets and festivities, including the new Colorado Esplanade, which is sure to become a favorite gathering place in our community."

RESOURCES:
Event details: www.smgov.net/coast
GoSaMo: www.smgov.net/gosamo
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1793157737586057/
Colorado Esplanade: http://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Plans/Streetscapes/Colorado-Esplanade/

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160605/375587

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160605/375586

SOURCE City of Santa Monica